Kuala Lumpur, Apr 18 : MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress) president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has said that the demolition of Hindu temples issue had caused the majority of the damage to Barisan National party’s chances, as a result of which it lost most of the seats it might have won in the just concluded general elections.

He said that the demolition of Hindu temples was the “atom bomb that blew up” the Barisan National's hopes in the general election.

“If we had been sensitive to the temple issue and taken care of the temples, we would have won more seats in the election. We would not have lost the Indian community's votes,” the staronline. com quoted him as saying.

Realising the sensitiveness of religious issues, Samy Vellu said, he met with Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar two weeks ago to appeal for the renewal and new application of work permits for 800 Indian priests, musicians and sculptors.

“I am grateful for the Federal Government's consideration in approving permits for the religious people from India. If the Government had not approved the permits the temples would have to close down,” he said.

He added that temple authorities could go to the Immigration Department to apply for work permits for the temple officials.

On training local temple priests, he said that some years ago he initiated a programme to train them in India. “When they returned, they were paid 300 Rangitt’s Malaysia per month. But they would rather do something that could earn them a better income.” (ANI)