Old Chinese temples will not be destroyed and the state government will provide various assistance like building roads leading to the temples and improving drainage systems, said new Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said the Prophet teaches Muslims to help those who are in need. Thus, the state government is obligated to provide assistance.

“In Islam, we are definitely not allowed to discriminate against others on grounds of race, religion or status ,” said the MB.

He told Sin Chew Daily during an exclusive interview that: “Take Chinese temples as an example, if the location of an old temple was approved by the government, then we are under obligation to see what kind of assistance we can provide, such as building road heading to the temples and improving the drainage systems. ”

He confessed that the state government's ability is limited and therefore, the construction fees for some temples have to fall on the followers' contributions.

However, he said that if followers of these temples request for help in sewer expansions or constructions, the state government will help as this is their right, the prerequisite is that the temple must comply with all relevant regulations.

On the destruction of Hindu temples, Mohammad Nizar said if the state government wish to destroy a 100-year-old Hindu temple, the state government must first obtain an unanimous consent including asking the views of local Indians.

He said similarly, if the Penang government destroy a 100-year-old mosque, it will surely arouse anger of the local Malay community. (Sin Chew Daily)