MIC chief S Samy Vellu has urged the government to stop the demolition of Hindu temples or it will risk alienating Indian Malaysian voters.

This appears to be the first time Samy Vellu had spoken out strongly on the issue which has been dogging the Hindu community, particularly in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, for the past few years.

Samy Vellu, who is also the works minister, said he had raised the issue several times during meetings with state government leaders but temples were still being demolished.

The most recent example, was the demolition of a temple in Kampung Rimba Jaya, Shah Alam, yesterday which Samy Vellu said had "hurt the feelings" of residents there.

"It is common knowledge that the majority of Indian voters, if not all Indians in Malaysia, support Barisan Nasional.

"Thus, I urge the relevant authorities not to resort to the drastic action of demolishing temples even though they are not built legally," he said in a statement faxed from the Works Ministry.

'We have no choice'

Samy Vellu said the Hindu community was forced to build temples on private or state land because the community did not have land to do so.

"I have on many occasions asked state and local governments to allot land for temples in every residential area, but it has yet to be implemented.

"Thus, the Hindu community has no choice but to build temples on land that is not theirs," he added.

The veteran politician went on to quote the first pillar of the Rukun Negara - Belief in God - adding that no one should be punished for practising their respective religion.

He also urged the relevant authorities to seek alternative land for temples which have been demolished or were scheduled to be demolished.

'No compromise'

The MIC president suggested that small temples be combined together on a larger piece of land.

"I will not compromise or tolerate anyone that does not take this issue seriously. I would also advise the Hindu community to only build temples on land where they are allowed to," he said.

Yesterday, Samy Vellu visited Kampung Karuppiah after the demolition had taken place.

According to vernacular press reports, he was pelted with sticks and stones by angry residents.

He also reportedly lodged a complaint with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was attending a function nearby.