Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said police must find the culprit, and urged all parties to remain calm.

He said the public must be vigilant of undesirables trying to disrupt the racial and religious harmony enjoyed by the state.

“This is unacceptable. We would like to condemn such uncivilised matters, we want police to investigate the matter.

“(Deputy Chief Minister II) P Ramasamy has written to the police, asking for an immediate and urgent investigation into the matter,” Lim told reporters after meeting with committee members of the Muthumariamman Hindu temple at the Ara Kuda estate, near Penanti here.

Lim added this was not the first time a temple was desecrated in the Permatang Pauh area – the first being a Siamese Buddhist temple last year.

While there, Lim presented a RM10,000 special allocation from the state government to rebuild the broken statues of deities.

Meanwhile, Ramasamy, who was also present, said the incident should not be taken lightly, as the country had experienced a prevalence of temple attacks of late.

Citing the recent temple desecration in Ipoh, Perak, Ramasamy said the police must seriously look into the matter.

He said the latest incident had “far and wide implications” to all peace-loving Malaysians.