PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised those who are politicising recent incidents involving the relocation of a Hindu temple and a scuffle between Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers and a balloon vendor.
Anwar said certain quarters were irresponsibly fuelling tensions by exaggerating the issues on social media, including spreading claims that riots would erupt over the temple controversy.
He stressed that such matters could and should be resolved amicably without unnecessary provocation.
“Do not give these people any room (to sensationalise such issues).
“They are stupid and do not think about the interests of the public. They just want to politicise such matters,” he said as quoted by FMT at today’s (Apr 7) Prime Minister’s Department staff meeting for April.
The issue revolves around the proposed relocation of the 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple, situated off Jalan Masjid India, to make way for the construction of a mosque by the Jakel Group. The proposal initially sparked public backlash.
However, following discussions, the temple committee agreed to shift the temple 50 metres away to a new 4,000 sq ft site—matching its current size. Anwar had previously described the compromise as a “win-win” solution during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Madani Mosque on March 27.
In a separate issue, balloon vendor Za’imuddin Azlan was involved in a scuffle with DBKL officers on Mar 28. A video of the incident, which showed him being pinned to the ground, quickly went viral and sparked public concern.
DBKL claimed that Za’imuddin, who was operating without a licence, refused to comply with three prior warnings and acted aggressively by pushing one of the officers. Za’imuddin has since denied these claims, stating he was not warned before the altercation.
Following an internal investigation, DBKL suspended the three enforcement officers involved.
