Malay Mail 26thApril2012
Guan Eng perturbed
over temple demolition
THURSDAY,
APRIL 26, 2012 - 11:32
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim
Guan Eng wants Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha to intervene if the
demolished 50-year-old Muniswarar Hindu Shrine is not rebuilt before the next
general election.
He also asked why MCA
president and Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek
and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya had not
apologised to the Hindu community over the incident.
He said the shrine was
demolished by the PPSB last Friday.
According to Lim,
several port workers had said the shrine, used by the workers and dealers, was
demolished without any prior notice.
“Even though Dr Hilmi
announced that the PPSB would bear the cost of rebuilding the shrine near the
Prai Bulk Cargo Teminal in the Prai Industrial Area, its general manager, Abdul
Halim Abdul Kader, denied such plans,” he said in a statement.
“When I visited the
area on Monday, Abdul Halim said he had checked with Dr Hilmi’s office,
affirming that it would not be rebuilt in the same area. So, where then will
the temple be rebuilt?
“Is this just another
of BN’s empty promises to be discarded after the coming general election? To demonstrate
remorse for demolishing the shrine, both Dr Hilmi and Dr Chua must apologise on
behalf of the PPC and PPSB to the Hindu community.”
Lim said the failure of
Dr Hilmi and Dr Chua to immediately meet and explain to the port workers and
Hindu community the reason behind the demolition was “regrettable,
irresponsible and disrespectful”.
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