Malaysia Hindu Unity Association president V Kandasamy said they also wanted an assurance that the demolished Raja Muniswarar Temple in Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah, will be relocated to a new site agreed upon by the temple management and local leaders.

“The menteri besar must apologise for the unethical remarks he made against Indians and Chinese following the temple demolition issue,” he told a press conference in Brickfields here.

Kandasamy said they were also appealing to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Kedah Sultan to take appropriate action against Sanusi, who is from PAS, to ensure such actions against Hindus or any other Malaysians are not repeated by him or other leaders.

He said this was in line with the first principle of Rukun Negara which reads “Belief in God.”

After the demolition of the shrine in Kuala Kedah, Sanusi had accused MIC and DAP of behaving like they were “drunk on toddy”.

Kandasamy said the temple demolition had angered and “hurt the feelings” of the Hindu community, not only in Kedah but nationwide.

“As for the menteri besar, he should have consulted the temple authorities and local leaders to avoid religiously sensitive demolitions by local authorities,” he said.

He said the action showed that Sanusi “was least respectful of the sentiments of Hindus.” He said most of the temples were built before independence and, due to that,  it should be handled delicately.

He proposed that Putrajaya set up a non-Muslim religious affairs department under the Prime Minister’s Department to address such issues.

Previously, rights group Lawyers for Liberty had slammed Sanusi for his “heavy-handed” and “unacceptable” defence of the demolition.

Three weeks ago, the Alor Setar City Council demolished the temple, which is said to be over 50 years old.

Sanusi then said places of worship must be built with permission from the local government, adding that MIC should be banned if it incites people to break the law.