Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Thursday, 26^th April 2012: 

Muhyiddin should direct PPC and PPSB to make a full and unconditional apology 

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhydin Yassin in his visit to Penang today should direct Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) Chairman Dato Seri Dr. Hilmi Bin Hj. Yahaya and the Penang Port Commission (PPC) Chairman Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek to make a full and unconditional apology to the Hindu community for demolishing the 50 year old Hindu shrine and rebuild the shrine immediately before the next general elections. The demolition of the shrine on 20 April at the Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal in the Prai Industrial Area, shocked devotees as it was done by PPSB without any demolition notice pasted on the shrine.

Whilst the Penang state government welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recent announcement of RM 8.5 million in development funds to the Nibong Tebal Parlimentary constituency, many Penangites are disappointed that he did not give the same amount to each of the other 12 Parliamentary constituencies in Penang. Such discrimination against the other 12 parliamentary constituencies, including BN areas, is regrettable as it gives the impression that only Nibong Tebal parliamentary constituency matters for BN at the next general elections.

Further some Nibong Tebal residents are also unhappy that the Prime Minister did not give any money to the newly approved Seberang Perai Selatan Jit Sin Secondary school, whose organizers are seeking RM 20 million of Federal funding for the RM 30 million school. Hopefully Tan Sri Muhyidin will not disappoint the Indian community by directing PPC and PPSB to fully repent for their outrage to the Hindu community.

Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (BCT) Abdul Halim Abdul Kader has told me when I visited the area on 23.4.2012, that there are no plans by PPSB to rebuild the 50 year old Hindu shrine on a small 6.1m X 6.1 m site. So far there is only silence from PPC Chair Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and PPSB Chairman Dato Seri Dr. Hilmi Bin Hj. Yahaya, who is also the UMNO ADUN for Teluk Bahang.

The Penang state government hopes that Tan Sri Muhydin understands the sentiments of the Indian port workers and the Hindu community who are hurt by what they perceive as a barbaric act of demoliton done without any notice on their religious place of worship. Tan Sri Muhydin should make PPC and PPSB realize that nothing less than an apology and rebuilding the Hindu shrine can atone for their grievous mistake.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister