Gobind Singh Deo : “AG must account for inaction against threats to religious places of worship”

PUTRAJAYA — The Minister of Digital and national chairman of DAP, Gobind Singh Deo today urged the Attorney-General (AG) to provide an immediate and clear explanation regarding the lack of prosecution against individuals who have threatened to unilaterally demolish places of worship.

“Several issues have been raised including that around the status of land on which some of these structures are built. These are issues which have come about for various reasons. Most states have already developed robust mechanisms to deal with them resulting in many cases being resolved peacefully and through due process. These legal processes ensure that the law, applying the right facts applicable, dictate the outcome in each particular case” Gobind Singh Deo said in a press statement.

“Whilst efforts have been taken to solve these cases, there are yet certain quarters who threaten to demolish these structures, taking matters into their own hands. This has created serious concerns following which police reports have been made. Despite numerous police reports lodged, there appears to be a total lack of follow-up action. Issues surrounding places of worship are inherently sensitive and must be handled with the utmost care to preserve public order and harmony” Gobind Singh noted.

“I have raised this matter in Cabinet on numerous occasions. However, the final authority to prosecute rests with the AG. He must explain why there has been such a slow response thus far and what he intends to do to change the growing perception of inaction”, he said.