PETALING JAYA: PAS’ non-Muslim wing has called for calm following a heated exchange between Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and MIC leaders on the demolition of a Hindu temple.
N Balasubramaniam, president of the wing known officially as the PAS Supporters Assembly (DHPP), urged both parties to sit down and discuss the matter.
Yesterday, Sanusi said MIC should be banned if it incites people to break the law, in the wake of a demolition of a Hindu temple and rising tensions between the party and the PAS-led state government.
Balasubramaniam said the demolition of temples happened under various administrations, from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan to Perikatan Nasional.
“The issue cannot be resolved if we keep pointing fingers at each other,” he said.
He advised MIC against creating negative perceptions by claiming that only the party can look after the Indian community’s welfare.
“In other states led by PAS like Kelantan and Terengganu, there are no MIC representatives but the welfare of Indians are still looked after.
“Even though MIC was part of the government for 60 years, it has to accept the fact that its leadership was rejected by the majority of Indians before this.
“I also feel sad because, despite its experience, it fails to understand how to resolve problems through negotiations.”
Balasubramaniam said it was not right to criticise Sanusi for refusing to listen to the instructions of political parties.
He also said Sanusi had invited all parties last month to discuss the matter and that a DHPP leader, who is the menteri besar’s special officer, had carried out programmes to look into the welfare of the Indian community.