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(NST) SHAH ALAM: The Section 23 Residents' Association Action Committee is not involved in the cow head incident, said its chairman Ahmad Mahyuddin Abdul Manaf.

He denied claims that the committee placed the head of a cow outside the state secretariat building here in protest against the relocation of a temple.

"Many people thought the committee was responsible but I do not know who the perpetrators are. I am shocked over what happened.

"The cow's head could have been placed there by a resident who was upset with the way the state government was handling the temple relocation matter."

He acknowledged that the two men shown carrying the cow's head in a picture published in a news web portal were Section 23 residents but said it was taken when they were removing the head, as instructed by the police.

Ahmad Mahyuddin said the committee's mission was to convey the residents' dissatisfaction, not to stir up racial sentiments.

"I am disappointed as this incident has tarnished the image of the committee."

On Friday, a group of 50 people protested against the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Section 19 to Section 23.

The demonstrators had marched from a nearby mosque after Friday prayers and placed the head of a cow, a sacred animal to Hindus, outside the state secretariat building here.

In Kuala Lumpur, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he regretted the action of the demonstrators.

"They should have known better than to resort to such action. We must respect the cultures and religions of other communities."

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said such "extreme actions" could cause unease among the people.

"I hope everyone will remain calm and not do anything that can upset racial harmony in Malaysia," he said after handing over Hari Raya Aidilfitri aid to some 50 orphans and needy students in Kampung Keriang Menya-bung here.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the demonstrators had committed a disrespectful act.

"This is not acceptable in Islam, a religion that upholds moderation and respect for other's beliefs," he wrote in his blog yesterday.

"Those who organised and were involved in the demonstration should consider how they would feel if a proposal to build a mosque in a non-Malay area led to non-Malays burning the Al-Quran.

"Would the Malays not rise in anger? If the answer is yes, then isn't the parading of a severed head of a cow just as insulting?"

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he regretted the incident.

"What happened was insensitive and I hope that it will not adversely affect the country's racial harmony."

Shah Alam district police chief Assistant Commissioner Nor Azam Jamaluddin said the action would be investigated under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act for unlawful assembly and the 1948 Sedition Act as it involved racial sentiments.

Nor Azam said at a press conference that police could not take drastic action at the time of the protest as it would have worsened the situation.

"If we had taken action, it would have sparked more anger. It was not suitable to take action at the time. We have proof and witnesses and will take action against those involved.

"The witnesses include not only the public but also police officers who were there. We will also investigate the participation of certain parties."

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said such an act of religious intolerance was appalling and a step back in promoting efforts for mutual respect among the various races and religions.

"The state calls on the police to act without fear or favour and conduct a fair investigation into the incident, including the threats issued by the demonstrators against state leaders," said Khalid in a statement.

He added that a directive had been issued to the Shah Alam city council to hold an open discussion on Sept 5 for Section 23 residents, which would be attended by the council's officials and Selangor Economic Development Corporation representatives.

The meeting would not only allow those affected to express their views but also provide the state an opportunity to present facts and reasons surrounding its decision to relocate the current temple in Section 19 to Section 23, Khalid said.

The Section 19 temple is about 150 years old and located in a plantation, which the Selangor Economic Development Corporation decided to develop into a housing estate.

Initially, the temple was to be relocated to an industrial area in Section 22 but it was decided to move it to Section 23 to make it more accessible to devotees.

Representatives from several non-governmental organisations, who had gathered at the Shah Alam district police station yesterday to lodge reports on the incident, expressed regret over the treatment of the Hindus' sacred symbol. However, they urged all to remain calm.

The chairman of the Section 19 Sri Maha Mariamman temple committee, R. Selvakumaran, said the temple management was ready to participate in a dialogue to resolve the matter as they had fought to have the temple relocated for more than 20 years.

The Coalition of Malaysian Indian Non-governmental Organisations secretary Gunaraj George hoped such an incident would not happen again.

While the coalition members were upset with the police for failing to stop the demonstration, he said they were confident the force would take action against those responsible.

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