I refer to the article entitled “Sivan temple: Assemblyman fears ISA” in the FMT today.
I wish to state in no uncertain terms that I never at any point said in the interview that I am afraid of the ISA. In fact I could not have made such a statement as the ISA is no longer in existence and the question of its use simply cannot arise.
It is therefore completely absurd for the report to even suggest that I fear its use.
Such a report is completely and utterly untrue.
What I did say was that the issue was a sensitive one and that government officials should not dictate how a religious body conducts its business. That could lead to all sorts of problems.
I further said that I am in touch with the temple and that this is an issue which must be solved within the community itself and that other temple associations ought to weigh in and assist on the matter. It is best to have other temples engage the Bukit Gasing Sivan temple so that an exchange of ideas and solutions can come to pass.
I wish to again assure everyone that I am fully committed to carrying out my duties as a State Assemblyman without any fear or favour.
The article in FMT is a wholly inaccurate account and reflection of my interview and I demand that it be corrected at once.
In the meanwhile, I reserve my rights in the matter and all matters connected with it.