Ramanan wants firm action over temple statue vandalism near NPE

KUALA LUMPUR: HR Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has demanded a swift and comprehensive police probe into the destruction of religious statues at a temple close to the New Pantai Expressway. He emphasized that such issues concerning land ownership or religious sites should be handled through legal means, dialogue and due process.

The temple management has already initiated talks with authorities to explore the possibility of relocating the site, and Ramanan advised that the resolution should be pursued calmly and methodically. He simultaneously urged the police to launch an immediate and thorough investigation to uncover the culprits behind the act. If the probe reveals any legal breaches, the responsible parties must face accountability, he stressed in a statement.

Ramanan warned against any party using the incident to incite racial or religious discord, stressing that freedom of worship, reverence for places of worship, and social cohesion are collective duties. He also cautioned everyone against disseminating unverified information or making unfounded accusations while the police probe is underway.