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Malaysia apologises for demolition of temple

SINGAPORE: Malaysia on Sunday apologised for the demolition of a Hindu temple on the eve of Deepavali last year. This was widely believed to have been a major factor that sparked the current unrest among ethnic Indians. Describing the demolition of the temple in Klang last November as “wrong,” Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said, “We are sorry for that.”

Addressing the press after inaugurating a special convention of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Najib said such an event should not be repeated. The government would ensure orderly practices in relocating temples that might have been built without proper authorisation.

It is estimated that there are nearly 24,000 Hindu temples in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Initially, temples were built on plantation estates following the induction of Indian workers there during the British colonial rule.

In recent years though, alleged illegality in the construction of temples and other places of worship, at sites not properly acquired, has become a political issue.

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