Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa is most timely and welcomed and deserves commendation and support from Malaysians

Press Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on 18 th January, 2015

Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa is most timely and welcomed and deserves commendation and support from Malaysians

It was reported that Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor yesterday slammed Malay right-wing group Perkasa for questioning the construction of Sri Lalithambikai Alayam Hindu temple in Putrajaya, saying that it will not affect the faith of Muslims staying nearby.

Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa is most timely and welcomed and deserves commendation and support from Malaysians.

Perkasa’s a Youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris‘s objection against the temple’s construction shows he is an extremist and a religious bigot. Perkasa’s frequent stirring up of racial and religious issues also shows without a doubt that it is an organization that is not fit to exist in this multi racial and multi religious nation. 

It is hoped that more Muslim Ministers can come out to rebuke Perkasa so as to send  a strong  and clear message that religious bigotry has no place in this multiracial and multi religious nation.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib who has often talked about 1 Malaysia and concept of moderation especially must speak up and put Perkasa in its place. 

In fact, Najib himself has on a few past occasions called on the silent majority to speak against extremism. 

If Perkasa does not back down from opposing the temple construction, I propose to the federal government and the Prime Minister to make the temple construction an issue of the battle between the moderates and the extremists. 

And the person who should lead this battle has to be the Prime Minister himself. 

It was also reported that f Irwan Fahmi Ideris has not only questioned why a Hindu temple has been constructed in a Malay-majority area, he has also suggested its entrance face Banting, where a large Hindu population lives. 

Let me remind Irwan that he should not try to be smart if he does not know about Hinduism and Hindu temple. 

His insensitive, irresponsible and ignorant remarks have enraged the Hindu community and strengthened Perkasa’s right wing and extremist image.  He and Perkasa deserve to be condemned for their stand.