Anwar must immediately withdraw call to 'clean-up illegal temples'

The concept of Madani includes respect, trust and compassion. Yet there was nothing "Madani" about the recent "directive" issued by the prime minister in respect of purported "illegal" temples and the order issued to local councils to remove them. This directive was unprecedented and has sent shock-waves.

For starters, only a court can declare with finality that a temple is occupying land illegally, and a court order is required before it can be demolished. In no circumstances can temple management be labelled trespassers and police action taken against them. 

Neither does the argument hold water, that if it's on private land, vigilantism or self-help is allowed. If that were the case, it means if an assault or other criminal offence occurs on private land, either it cannot be prosecuted or people may take the law into their own hands and use self-help remedies to address it.

The heinous act of destroying a temple in Rawang a few days ago was a direct result of the prime minister's directive and was entirely foreseeable. The tragedy is that it was perpetrated by the Madani government in utter breach of their promise of trust, compassion and respect. It is not something we have heard from previous governments. 

That it emanates from a government that saw itself in power due the support of all communities, underscores the callousness with which they are now being treated.

This government has a duty to all Malaysians to ensure they may live in peace and harmony and without fear and exercise all their fundamental freedoms under the Federal Constitution. These are basic human rights that are being violated by the very government so many of us supported.

Above all, the government has the duty to act with caution on matters of religion and culture, and to have sensible discussions with community leaders to resolve such sensitive issues. This was how such issues were resolved in the past. What is being unleashed upon us instead, is wholly unacceptable and sickening.

It is time for the Cabinet to have an emergency meeting and cause an immediate withdrawal of the directive by the prime minister and to have an immediate cessation of all action against temples. That is the only responsible thing to do.

Ambiga Sreenevasan and N Surendran are rights activists and lawyers.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.