PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 — Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today gave the police full support in tackling what he described as racially-charged issues, telling them of their obligation to preserve harmony amid communal tension over houses of worship.
The assertion came amid uproar over the destruction of a temple by a group of vigilantes in Rawang, Selangor, believed to have happened last night.
Speaking at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly here, Saifuddin said enforcement agencies under his watch must protect all houses of worship, and any questions around its legality must be dealt with accordingly through the rule of law.
“Issues touching race and religion is so emotive…in dealing with situations like this, something that can threaten harmony, and in which communication about these issues can be incomplete and vague, it can lead to trouble,” the minister said.
“As such from KDN, our position is we must deal with these problems using the rule of law, using the right processes and not by emotions or sentiments,” he added.
“If this is about land use rights, urban planning, let it be dealt with according to the right laws. We must not allow any parties to take matters into their own hands, and create provocations. This is extremely dangerous.”
Police arrested four men in connection with the trespassing and demolition of a temple in Rawang, Selangor, which was allegedly built without approval, following a complaint from a local resident, state newswire Bernama reported this morning.
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said parts of the temple were demolished without prior notice or discussion with the local authorities or the complainant.
The suspects, aged 26 to 39, were detained and a backhoe tractor was seized.
Police said they opened an investigation paper under Sections 427, 295, 504 and 447 of the Penal Code.
The issue surrounding Hindu temples allegedly built on private land has intensified in recent weeks, as hardline Muslims called for their demolition through a social media campaign that critics claim is grounded more on racial prejudice than on concerns over land use rights.
Saifuddin said today that the Anwar government adopts a “just” stance when dealing with the issue.
He also said the controversy is a “legacy issue” that the present administration inherited.
“I’d like to repeat here that the government will always take a just stance that is based on facts and the law. This principle of respecting the rule of law should be made clear,” Saifuddin said.
“And note that this isn’t a new issue. This is a legacy issue. If houses of worship exist but fail to comply with the law, the situation must be corrected.”
Saifuddin then stressed the Constitutional right to freedom of religion, which enshrines the right for all faiths to have houses of worship.
“The houses of worship must be respected and protected; any resolution to matters surrounding them must always account for the sensitivity of their respective followers,” the minister said.
