Group sorry over ruckus

> ‘Protest was over dumpsite that drew stray dogs, not demolition of temple’

SHAH ALAM: The residents’ association of the Bukit Subang Melati Apartments has apologised for the ruckus some of its members caused over the issue of a Hindu temple nearby, a video of which has gone viral.

Association chairman Nor Azman Mohamed said the residents’ grouse was actually on a nearby dumpsite which they wanted removed, and not the temple.

“There was a misunderstanding. We wanted other structures on the illegal dumpsite to be torn down and we never wanted to touch the temple.

“However, things got out of hand and that led to the commotion that has since gone viral. I apologise on behalf of the residents for that,” Nor Azman said on Tuesday.

Nor Azman explained that the illegal dumpsite attracted stray dogs to the area, some of which had even strayed into a surau there.

“People are tired of living beside the dumpsite and the dogs have become a menace,” he said.

Nor Azman claimed that the residents had also lodged complaints with the local council on the dog issue but no action had been taken.

He added that the temple caretaker K. Suresh had shown the residents a permit for the temple.

The video shows several residents confronting Suresh at the temple and hurling verbal abuses.

Meanwhile, Shah Alam City Council councillor Muhammad Shakir Ameer urged social media users to stop making it a racial issue. He said the protest was for the residents to voice their displeasure over the dumpsite that drew stray dogs, and not over the demolition of the temple.

Suresh admitted to taking care of 15 dogs there, but said: “My dogs never leave the yard, and they help keep out strangers loitering in the area.”

Muhammad Shakir said following a meeting with several government agencies, including Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Shah Alam City Council and the Land Office on Tuesday, it was decided that the dumpsite would be cleared in two weeks.