Islamic terrorists target Hindu temples in Malaysia

Security stepped up

Temples in Penang, Batu Caves on alert following threat
Jun 19, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR – Temples in Penang and Batu Caves will step up security following the threat by a group of alleged terrorists to blow up two places of worship.

The Sri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam temple, also known as Batu Caves Temple (picture), is a prominent religious site for Hindus around the world.

Temple chairman R Nadarajah said their 24-member temple committee would meet to discuss additional security, reported The Star. “I was shocked after reading about the threat. I knew it was Batu Caves after reading it,” he said.

Mr Nadarajah plans to request more police presence near the temple grounds. He said they might even consider screening people entering the site. “We will also install CCTVs within the perimeters of the temple and have more security guards to carry out patrols,” he said.

In Georgetown, the body managing the Kek Lok Si Temple urged police to set up a beat base at the entrance to the temple and other famous places of worship in Penang.

The managing trustee of the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple Trustees, Mr N Ramanathan, also said they would tighten security at the four temples under their purview.

Nine foreigners and a Malaysian who were arrested for alleged terrorist activity early this year were reportedly planning to blow up two places of worship because they felt that the government was not doing enough to uphold Islam.

The New Straits Times reported earlier this week that the group was led by a Syrian scholar with suspected ties to Al Qaeda. He held weekly Islamic classes at a home near Kuala Lumpur and allegedly tried to recruit members for Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah in Malaysian universities.

Police sources said the group had also spread its tentacles into mosques and several non-government organisations. Agencies