SYSTEMIC HINDU TEMPLE CLEANSING IN MALAYSIA

History: Malaysian Indians or Indian Malaysians is a local ethnic group in Malaysia. The group is defined as local Malaysians of Indian or South Asian ancestry. Today, the Indians form the third largest group in Malaysia after the Malays and the Chinese. Most are descendants of those who migrated from India to Malaysia during the British Colonization of Malaya have traditionally been a working class population, who came to Malaysia initially to work on rubber plantations. The majority of Malaysian Indians are Hindus. Therefore Malaysia has ancient connections to India and Hinduism.

Overview: So far Malaysian authorities have demolished a number of Hindu temples in different parts of the country, stating that they were built without a proper permit. But many of the temples demolished were more than a century old, which clearly suggests that getting a permit to build is not at all the issue leading the demolitions.

The Issue: In fact, temple demolitions are part of an organized effort in a country like Malaysia that is growing increasingly intolerant of religious minorities.

Malay Hegemony and Islamic Fanaticism: Malaysia is a multicultural and multi-confessional country, notwithstanding that the official religion is Islam. But growing Islamic fanaticism and meddling Islamic religion into politics and administration had caused the Malay Majority ruled government failed and neglected to guarantee the freedom of religion among Malaysians. It is undeniable that fear among Muslims on the growth of Hinduisms is also a main cause for the temples facing demolition. It is the way of showing Malay-Islamic supremacy against minority race-religion in Malaysia. Malaysia is a country that the entire government system based on race-religion where Malay-Islam always be given priority over ability.

How systemic government-endorsed plan of temple cleansing does happens in Malaysia:-

1.Government always justify that the demolition of these temples are removal of illegal structures that were not properly registered but in fact many of the temples demolished were more than a century old and was erected by estate workers with approval of the estate owners;

2.State Authority & Estate Land Board established under Section 214A of National Land Code failed and/or neglected to perform their duty based on the public interest in resolving existing temples erected on the estates land while giving approval for application (Form 14D) to transfer of estate land submitted jointly by purchaser and proprietor;

3.State Authority is imposing limitation of land area for temples by way of guides, rules and by-laws that contravene Article 11 of Federal Constitution;

4.State Authority do not grant land for temples in perpetuity (freehold) but only notification of Gazette issued under Section 62 of National Land Code that can be revisited at any point of time;

5.Most of the temples are placed or relocated next to dangerous area such as septic tanks, monsoon drains, high tension power cables, TNB substations and graveyards;

6.Constitutional discrimination or favouritism applies to Hindus (non-Muslims) in upholding the Freedom of Religion provided under Article 11 of Federal Constitution.