Demolition of temple in Perlis nothing to do with politics – State Mufti

The demolition of the Veeramakaliamman Temple in Bukit Lagi, Perlis, should not be turned into a racial or religious issue, stated state Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin. The scholar emphasized that the matter should be addressed under existing laws, specifically those concerning land ownership and usage. He clarified that Malaysia operates under a legally governed system and that everyone must adhere to these regulations, including the construction and use of private properties and places of worship. This principle applies even more so to religious sites, which are also bound by regulations.

Responding to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer's call for the Barisan Nasional (BN) to reassess its collaboration with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in light of the temple's demolition, Mohd Asri highlighted that the issue should not be politicized. Rayer, who chairs the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, had expressed concerns that aligning with PN could jeopardize Malaysia's multi-racial and multi-religious character.

He also suggested that Umno, MCA, and MIC, which previously supported PN during the Negeri Sembilan elections, should take note of the situation.

Mohd Asri reiterated that the presence of places of worship should not lead to tensions if they are established legally. He reiterated Islam's teachings on respecting others' rights, even in the face of disagreement. He stressed that while Islam promotes harmony and respect for religious rights, it does not endorse occupying or using land unlawfully.

He further stressed that the Perlis case should not be seen through a political perspective, but rather as an issue of enforcing laws and maintaining the rule of law. Mohd Asri implored politicians and observers to refrain from exacerbating racial or religious divisions, warning that such actions would harm the nation.