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ALOR SETAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today defended the cleaning by the city council of a Hindu temple considered illegally built amid criticism from Indian politicians about the approval of the Menteri kissing with the action.
He said parties like MIC should know better that it was illegal to build any structure without permission, which included places of worship.
“As a responsible leader, my job is to uphold the rule of law and not intervene in the city council’s enforcement actions,” Sanusi told FMT.
MIC President S Vigneswaran today criticized Sanusi for calling for a ban on MIC if it is found that he incited people to disobey the law. The kissing mentor had said so after the party’s strong protest against the recent demolition of a Hindu temple and the lack of funds for non-Muslim places of worship.
Sanusi said the Hindu temple in Kuala Kedah that was demolished on Tuesday was built “three or four years ago”, not 50 years ago as some sectors claim.
He said temple devotees were initially “praying in a tree” near the recently demolished structure and that before it was torn down, the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) had issued notices to temple caretakers, but these were ignored.
“When these notices are ignored, enforcement action will be taken. MBAS was simply enforcing the law.
“The question is, do we, as political parties, abandon the rule of law when faced with police action, or do they become race heroes to make one appear concerned and relevant?
“Does the MIC want future buildings to be built for no reason across the state? This is the law, it is not about racism or religion, ”Sanusi said.
When asked about P Ramasamy’s comments against him, Sanusi said that the Penang DAP leader was no different from MIC.