The Malaysian Insider

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 — For the residents of the middle class Taman Ixora neighbourhood in Section 23 here, the cow-head protest after Friday prayers underlined their anger and frustration against a government unwilling to heed their views.

While they have mixed feelings about brandishing a cow-head during the protest, they are adamant in not wanting the Section 19 Sri Mahamariamman Temple relocated to their predominantly Malay-Muslim neighbourhood, more so near the Surau Al-Jannah.

The faded graffiti on the zinc fence surrounding the disputed site reflected their feelings.

“We object to this temple”, “Pakatan Rakyat cannot be trusted” and “Rodziah babi” were written on the fence. Rodziah Ismail is the Batu Tiga state assemblywoman, which covers the area, and an executive councillor in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government.

On Friday, they went a step further to show that they were at the end of their tether by holding a noisy demonstration outside the Selangor state secretariat, dragging a severed cow-head which they stomped and spat on. The act is offensive to Hindus, who regard cows as sacred.

Although riot police stood by at the state secretariat, they are in full force at the neighbourhood multi-purpose hall beside the proposed temple site, which is now a lush green field.

Shah Alam OCPD ACP Noor Azam Jamaludin said they had been stationed there before the protest and will remain until Sept 3.

On a visit to the neighbourhood, the Malay residents expressed anger and felt it was unsuitable for the temple to be built in a predominantly Muslim community.

They also argued the location was not strategic because there is only one major exit from the neighbourhood to the main highway and the temple would likely create congestion in the area.

Others also felt that they have been cheated and abandoned by their Muslim PR leaders.

“I attended yesterday’s demonstration because this is my neighbourhood and I must show support. That is what I want. I hung this Umno flag, but I voted one for Khalid Samad and Rodziah. I voted for PKR but I felt cheated. I have this Umno flag to show my anger,” Sukhani Mohd Jamil stressed, venting his anger at the state lawmakers.

Khalid Samad is the Shah Alam MP, which encompasses this neighbourhood in the predominantly Malay constituency.

The 30 year old father explained that neighbourhood had objected when they learned the temple was planned to built near their homes but they did not receive any response.

Sukhani felt cheated when he learned that the state government had not consulted the residents and approved the building of the temple.

“I’ve never felt this spirit. This is not about race hatred. Take whatever land but not near our housing areas. I am really disappointed,” he said.

The Section 23 action committee against the temple construction had sent a protest memorandum to Rodziah explaining that the temple was just 160 metres from the houses, 50 metres from a playground and 150 metres from Surau Al-Jannah. They demanded a public hearing but the Batu Tiga state assemblyman said it was unnecessary as the area was industrial land.

There was also fear in some of the residents as they are afraid that this issue might explode into a racial backlash.

“Of course, nobody wants the temple. It is too near to the playground. This has become an issue. I am scared that this will lead to fighting. They are too sensitive on this issue. Can you ask Rodziah why she wants to build it there?” Mainora Muir Hassan explained.

The mother of four stressed that the temple was not in the plans when they bought the house and questioned if the state government can do this.

“If there is not any temple, then we won’t buy. The price of our houses will also fall. Khalid wants tolerance but how can there be tolerance when it is near to the surau?” she added.

Pakatan Rakyat politicians claimed that most of the protesters were not from Section 23 and the demonstration was orchestrated by Umno.

However, local residents refuted this claim and said it was unfair because they are fighting for their neighbourhood and not for any political party.

“It is not a question of Umno or not, we are all Muslims. I am disappointed that a Muslim leader has neglected the Muslim community. Our religion has been sidetracked,” Latiff Roslan said.

The businessman was confused why the state government had decided to build the temple near their homes when there was no objection to build the temple in Section 22 as originally planned.

“Playground is for our children, children won’t go there to play and parents won’t allow them to play. Why is this temple made into an issue? People have objected to this temple so the government should stop the project.

“I read in the papers, that they want to move the temple by 300 metres. There is no land for the temple to be relocated by 300 metres. They want to put in the temple in the factory? So they are trying to lie to us and we cannot accept it,” he said.

The residents feel that they are being neglected by their leaders and are fed-up with Khalid’s call for religious tolerance.

“Khalid Samad is a liar, he likes to tell lies. He is scared to face the people. If the temple can be relocated by 300 metres, why not five kilometres? They asked us to tolerant. We can be tolerant but they must find a suitable location,” Azman Abdul Majid said.

The Telekom Malaysia employee added that politicians are abandoning religion for votes.

There were mixed emotions on the severed cow-head being used in the demonstration but they agree that the protestors just wanted to show their anger.

The residents are planning to seek a court injunction if the state government continues its plans to build the temple there.

Comments (89)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form