Petaling Jaya : Statues of four deities in the Muthumariamman Hindu temple in Seberang Perai Central, Penang were destroyed by intruders last night, P Ramasamy said, calling the attack a “hate crime”.
In a statement, the Penang Deputy Chief Minister II said the temple attack was carried out by more than one individual, and it was possibly motivated by the current political situation.
“These temple attacks are taking place under the circumstances of racial and religious polarisation.”
The temple is said to be 150 years old and is located at the Penanti Estate in Arakuda.
The DAP politician later told Malaysiakini that nothing was stolen from the temple.
A police report has been lodged by temple chairman Bala Nambiar. The intruders have yet to be identified.
The attack on the temple comes after a similar incident in Ipoh last month, which saw an allegedly mentally ill medical student, Fathi Munzir, smashing several statues at the Sree Muneeswaran Amman Temple in Ipoh.
He has since been charged for the offence, after it was found that he was mentally-sound to stand trial for his actions.
Source : FMT
