Stop quarrel over temple demolition: Badawi

Kuala Lumpur, April 30 (IANS) Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked two of his senior colleagues to stop a verbal duel in public over demolition of a Hindu temple last year, an issue that upset the ethnic Indian community here. Threatening disciplinary action, Badawi said a directive would be issued to ensure all component parties of the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) and individual members stop pointing fingers at one another.

Asked whether his warning would restrict freedom among the component parties, Abdullah retorted: “We have discipline in the party. Which party does not have discipline? It will be a problem if the party does not have discipline,” The Star newspaper said.

The controversy surrounds demolition of the Kampung Rimba Jaya Hindu temple near Shah Alam in Selangor state Nov 15 last year, a week before Deepavali.

Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President S. Samy Vellu said the demolition so close to the festival acted as the “atom bomb” during last month’s general elections, when disenchanted Tamil Hindus voted for the opposition.

Vellu, who himself lost his ninth bid to enter Parliament, blamed Selangor’s then Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) Mohamad Khir Toyo for not heeding his entreaties made in the presence of Badawi. click here: Thaindian.com, Thailand

BERITADARIGUNUNG: for the first time in many years, Abdullah asks people to stop quarreling. better late than never. Read Mukhriz's comment in Bernama here