Rayer hails Anwar as statesman after temple remarks apology

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said Anwar Ibrahim’s apology reflects the prime minister’s appreciation of the Indian community’s long-standing support for the Reformasi movement.PETALING JAYA: DAP's RSN Rayer today urged the Indian community to forgive Anwar Ibrahim for his past remarks on Hindu temples, describing the prime minister's recent apology as the mark of "a true statesman".The Jelutong MP said Anwar had publicly apologised during an event in Negeri Sembilan yesterday, even placing his hands together as a gesture of sincerity."The prime minister has clearly offered an honest, conscientious and sincere apology. An attribute befitting a true statesman and deserving commendable admiration," Rayer said in a statement.He said the apology reflected Anwar's appreciation of the Indian community's long-standing support for the Reformasi movement, unlike opposition leaders he accused of making divisive remarks on the Indian and Chinese communities."It is time to forgive and forget, and realise that the prime minister has been magnanimous in his apology and that Madani is our only hope and way forward," he said.Rayer also highlighted several initiatives under the Madani government that benefitted the Indian community, including increased allocations for the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit, and the provision of RM76 million in grants to AIMST University and RM20 million to Tafe College.He said the government had also allocated RM200 million for the maintenance of non-Muslim places of worship and expanded matriculation opportunities for high-performing Indian students.He said the inclusion of Gobind Singh Deo and R Ramanan in the federal Cabinet was also proof of the government’s commitment to Indian representation.Yesterday, Anwar apologised for previously using the term "kuil haram" (illegal temples), saying he accepted it was a mistake and stressing that no old Hindu temples had been demolished under his administration.He also announced that he would personally oversee issues affecting the Indian community, while human resources minister Ramanan would continue implementing government-approved programmes.