{
  "id": 3183537,
  "title": "Rayer denies involvement in Perlis temple rally after viral poster",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/rayer-denies-involvement-in-perlis-temple-rally-after-viral-poster-3183537",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T02:44:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/25/rayer-denies-involvement-in-perlis-temple-rally-after-viral-poster"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jelutong MP RSN Rayer has firmly denied any role in organizing or promoting a rally at the site of a recently demolished temple in Kangar, Perlis, which circulated on social media. As the chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board, Rayer asserted that his image, name, and position were misused without his consent in the promotional materials. In a Facebook post, Rayer strongly denied involvement in the creation, publication, or dissemination of the poster. He urged the creators to retract the materials and distribute them no further. Rayer emphasized that any dispute, including those involving places of worship and religious matters, should be resolved through legal channels and legitimate processes rather than through actions that may cause misunderstandings or tension.\n\nThe poster falsely depicted Rayer as one of the speakers at a rally called \"Perhimpunan Merah Maha Kali\" at the site of the former Sri Veera Maha Kaliamman temple. The poster listed him alongside activist Arun Dorasmy and human rights lawyer Siti Kasim as purported speakers. Rayer had previously expressed his opposition to the temple's demolition, urging a more measured approach if the temple had violated any regulations. The temple was reportedly demolished by Perlis authorities on August 20 without a permit.",
  "summary": "Jelutong MP says his name and photo were used without permission to imply his involvement in a rally linked to the temple's demolition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Rayer denies involvement in viral 'Maha Kali' rally poster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/rayer-denies-involvement-in-viral-maha-kali-rally-poster",
        "published": "2026-08-25T01:18:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Rayer denies involvement in Perlis temple rally after viral poster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/rayer-denies-involvement-in-perlis-temple-rally-after-viral-poster",
        "published": "2026-08-25T02:44:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}