Hindu, Buddhist temple doors open to all during rally

PETALING JAYA: As places of worship, the doors of Hindu and Buddhists temples in the city should be open for anyone seeking shelter, as long as they do not bring their "politics" onto holy ground.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam's adviser Datuk A.Vaithilingam said appeals will be made to the respective management committees of temples located in the heart of the city so they do not to shut their doors during the rally.

"However, they must not bring their politics into the temple," Viathilingam said.

He added that those who need rest, shelter or to ease themselves can come into temple grounds to do so.

"However, they must follow the norms and respect the temple as a house of worship," he said on Wednesday.

"Its is okay if they merely use the temple compounds to rest and take temporary shelter.

Chief High Priest Judiciary of Malaysia Ven. B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera said that no one should be denied entry into temple grounds to rest.

"On grounds of compassion, the doors of temples should be opened to everyone seeking rest.

"This applies not only to Bersih participants, but to everyone," he added.

However, he said those coming onto temple grounds must observe the proper decorum.

"Anybody can come into the temple so long as they are peaceful and behave with dignity.

"There should not be anyone making a lot of noise such as shouting or holding protests on temple grounds," he added.

On Tuesday, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism's (MCCBCHST) acting president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said they would appeal to the temples in the area to open their doors to Bersih 4.0 participants to rest.

The appeal comes after three Catholic churches offered their grounds as "sanctuary" for the participants.

Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Julian Leow confirmed that the Catholic church has decided to allow St. John's Cathedral in Bukit Nanas, St. Anthony's Church in Pudu and Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Brickfields to be places of sanctuary during Bersih 4 rally.