Suhakam to meet Perak govt over monastery demolition dispute
IPOH: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will meet the Perak government over alleged human rights violations linked to a threat to demolish the Sakyamuni Cave Monastery in Gunung Kanthan here for quarrying activities.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is set to meet with the Perak government concerning alleged human rights violations related to a threat to demolish the Sakyamuni Cave Monastery in Gunung Kanthan. Suhakam commissioner Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail revealed the meeting would occur after the commission completes a comprehensive report on findings from eight agencies involved in the dispute.
The monastery, a 100-year-old Buddhist site, is being targeted by a cement company for quarrying activities. Suhakam, mandated to advise on human rights issues and conduct monitoring, will assess the problems, actions taken by relevant agencies, underlying causes, and potential solutions. The monastery's head monk, Bhante Kusala, his lawyer, Leong Cheok Keng, and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) field researcher Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman will accompany Suhakam during their visit.
The dispute encompasses land rights, eviction, freedom of religion, and environmental conservation. Kusala alleged that the monastery's residents and visitors' rights have been violated through restricted access, intimidation, and surveillance via drones, which he considered arbitrary detention. The escalation of tensions includes the placement of concrete barriers at the monastery's entrance and constant monitoring of the monastery's movements.
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