Addressing Indian students, Anwar says ‘stand to be corrected’ over temple row remarks

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today appeared to acknowledge that some of his remarks about Hindu temples were perceived as tacit support for hostility directed at the Indian community.

Speaking to Indian students at Universiti Malaya here, Anwar suggested that his call for stern enforcement against houses of worship built without permits may have been “misconstrued”, describing such interpretations as attempts to sow division.

Anwar had faced criticism from leaders within the Malaysian Indian community, who argued that his use of the term “kuil haram” (illegal temples) could be seen as endorsing unilateral action.

“In many Western countries, the far right is winning because they exploit racial sentiments,” Anwar said during a government programme here.

“Hate towards the PM because he is portrayed as friendly towards the Chinese, or not stern enough about (Hindu) temples. Even if we need to be stern, we must be respectful of other faiths, not to the point that we hurt each other’s feelings,” he added.

“Yes, this is a difficult issue. As always, I stand to be corrected, and some of my remarks had been misconstrued, but it was never the intention.”

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