An Umno Youth leader implicated in the demolition of a Taoist temple last week has admitted writing to the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) calling for the building to be torn down.

Bukit Mertajam Umno Youth chief Ramlan Ishak said he wrote the letter because the Tou Mu Kung temple was an illegal structure and located to close to the main road.

"True, I did ask for the temple to be demolished on behalf of the residents who felt that it was posing a problem to traffic in the area.

"Since it is located within the Umno Bukit Mertajam area and as Youth chief it is my responsibility to convey the grouses of the people to the authorities," he said when contacted.

He was responding to Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng who earlier today revealed Ramlan's letter and another letter which showed that the demolition had the consent of Penang Deputy Chief Minister Abdul Rashid Abdullah.

10 notices issued

According to Ramlan, the 20-year-old temple was constructed without a plan approved by the local council.

"MPSP issued at least 10 notices calling for a stop to the construction works and that the temple be shifted to another area but this was not heeded," he said.

Appeals from Penang state exco Toh Kim Woon and Berapit state assemblyperson Lau Chiek Tuan had led to a reprieve. The fate of the temple was supposed to be decided at yesterday's state exco meeting.

However, MPSP demolished the temple last Friday without notifying Toh and Lau. The police were forced to fire warning shots to keep the angry crowd at bay.

The temple, built in 1985, was relocated to Jalan Maju last year after its original site about 200m away was sold to a property developer.

The development project was launched by Deputy Chief Minister Abdul Rashid.