MIC deputy president Saravanan said he had a meeting with Sanusi and National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique on July 26 to discuss Hindu temples in the state, during which the PAS leader promised to inform Saravanan and Halimah if the state intended to demolish any temples.

“However, it came as a shock to me to learn that the menteri besar had blatantly disregarded the promise and continued the demolition of a temple in the state recently,” Saravanan said.

“I am disappointed with the menteri besar’s unilateral action to demolish the temple despite his promise to two federal ministers during the July meeting.

“This goes against the spirit of a national coalition government, and any decline in Indian support for the ruling coalition in the future would be due to these sort of deceitful actions by the Kedah menteri besar.”

Calling on Sanusi to explain why the temple was demolished without consultation, Saravanan called it a “blatant abuse of power” by the state’s top leader.

Saravanan also urged Sanusi to clarify his stand on temples and places of worship in Kedah, adding that MIC has been in contact with several national PAS leaders to seek an explanation on the issue.

“We also want PAS to show that they are a government for all races and religions in this beloved nation,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Alor Setar City Council demolished the Sri Raja Muniswarar Temple in Kuala Kedah, which is believed to be over 50-years old.

At a press conference yesterday, Sanusi said places of worship must be built with prior permission from the local government.

Sanusi also accused MIC of inciting people to break the law, this after a MIC leader complained on the lack of allocations for non-Muslim places of worship in the state’s budget.