1 DEC 2018
WILD CLAIMS AND ACCUSATIONS BY INDIAN POLITICIAN SHOULD BE CONDEMNED IN THE STRONGEST MANNER
I was shocked to see recent reports and videos of a politician from the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) or the Hindu People's Party who alleged numerous incidences in relation to the incident at the Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple in Seafield, Subang.
This is highly regrettable and very upsetting as this could lead a negative perception among the Indian nationals in their country and potentially stoke further flames in Malaysia as well.
The politician namely Arjun Sampath claimed that "the throats of women and children were slit" and that "the heads of youths were decapitated" in the incident.
Worst still, he also claimed that the incident was triggered by "Islamic extremists" whom he described as "bloodthirsty" and "fanatics".
As reiterated numerous times by all leaders in Malaysia, this incident was neither racially nor religiously motivated but a tussle between the developer and the disputed temple committees over the temple's land status which unfortunately turned ugly.
Arjun's claims and contents of the memorandum on the incident which was submitted to the Consulate General of Malaysia in Chennai on November 27 contains gross error and factual mistakes.
I urge all Malaysians to not spread the videos or reports of the memorandum via social media. This will help avoid potential misinterpretation of his "poorly misinformed" claims.
The temple issue does not need further instigation.
The government will also indicate our strongest protest to this statement to our Indian counterparts via the Indian High Commission.
“Demi Rakyat”
Dr Xavier Jayakumar
PKR Vice President & Kuala Langat MP
Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources
