Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Wednesday, 25^th April 2012: 

Transport Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha should step in if no apology is forthcoming from both PPSB Chairman and PPC Chairman 

When will 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 fully apologise to the Hindu community for the demoliton of the 50 year old Hindu shrine and fulfill their promise to rebuild it? Why no follow up as just how long does it take to rebuild a Hindu shrine on a small 6.1m X 6.1 m site.

Even though PPSB Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya has announced that PPSB will bear the cost of rebuilding the demolished 50-year-old Muniswarar Hindu shrine on an area of 6.1m x 6.1m near the Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (BCT) in the Prai Industrial Area, this has been denied by the BCT general manager Abdul Halim Abdul Kader. When I visited the area on 23.4.2012, Abdul Halim stressed that he had checked with Datuk Sri Dr Hilmi's office who affirmed that it would not be rebuilt in the same area.

If that is so, where then will the temple be rebuilt? Further when will the temple be rebuilt or is this just another of BN’s empty promises to be discarded after the next general elections. To demonstrate their remorse for demolishing the Hindu shrine, both Hilmy and Chua must fully apologise on behalf of PPC and PPSB to the Hindu community for this religious sacrilege and trampling on their religious sensitivities.

The failure of both PPC Chair Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and PPSB Chairman Dato Seri Dr. Hilmi Bin Hj. Yahaya to immediately meet and explain to the port workers and the Hindu community why they permitted this barbaric demolition to occur is regrettable, irresponsible and disrespectful. Worse, no notice was pasted on the shrine to give prior notification of of the impending demolition.

All peace-loving Penangites who respect freedom of religion condemn this demolition. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha should step in if no apology is forthcoming from both Hilmy and Chua as well as the Hindu shrine can not be rebuilt before the next general elections.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister