PETALING JAYA: Preliminary investigations into the Sri Maha Mariamman temple riots indicate the presence of criminal elements, says the Prime Minister, pledging that they would be brought to justice.
“The criminals who tried to create disturbances and injured our security and rescue personnel, as well as damaged public property, will face stern action according to the law.
“And if there are puppet masters behind these incidents, they too will not escape from receiving appropriate punishment,” said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a statement issued from his office on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister added that he had been following the developments of the temple riots since Monday, and said there was no racial or religious issue involved, although the protests were related to the temple’s relocation from USJ25 to USJ23 in Subang Jaya.
“As they (the riots) are criminally-related, the police have been ordered to take further action to handle and control the situation as soon as possible.
“The government also regrets the irresponsible actions of criminals who have caused chaos in the temple area, and injured security and rescue personnel,” said Dr Mahathir.
A scuffle broke out between two rival groups at the temple early Monday.
The incident is believed to have been sparked by the fracas between two opposing groups over the relocation of the temple.
Early Tuesday, a group who had congregated at the temple turned rowdy when they smashed glass panels at the One City Mall.
The Selangor police said 21 people have been arrested so far over the fracas. – THE STAR
IGP: We cannot cordon off a place of worship
The police cannot prevent the public from visiting a place of worship, said inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
He was explaining the reason for not cordoning off the area in which the Sri Maha Mariamman temple is located.
The temple and its surrounding areas in Subang Jaya have witnessed two violent riots in a span of 24 hours, with this morning’s incident leaving a fireman battling for his life.
“Many have asked me, why aren’t we closing the roads leading to the temple. I said we cannot (close the roads) because it will further inconvenience the people.
“We will continue to guard the area. I have advised against holding gatherings (in the area). We cannot stop people from performing their prayers,” said Fuzi.
The police chief added that the roads would be closed if there is “a need to do so (kalau ada keperluan)”.
Fuzi was speaking to reporters after visiting Fire and Rescue Department personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim at a private hospital in Subang Jaya this evening.
The 24-year-old medical personnel was dragged out of his vehicle and assaulted when his team responded to a distress call.
Muhammad Adib is in the intensive care unit after his lungs and intestines sustained punctures.
There have been two riots over two consecutive nights near the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya.
Troubles began on the wee hours of Monday morning after a group of masked intruders attacked the temple and held some of its caretakers hostage.
A riot broke out later which saw various vehicles being torched and several of the intruders seriously injured.
Last night, several thousand gathered near the temple to show support. They were initially peaceful but riots soon broke out.
Apart from attacking the Fire and Rescue Department personnel, the rioters also attacked the office of MCT Bhd, which was located nearby.
MCT Bhd were the former owners of One City Development Bhd, the company that is currently trying to seize the land where the temple is located.
MCA proposes three-step solution to Seafield temple situation
MCA president Wee Ka Siong has expressed regret over the riots linked to the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ 25 in Subang Jaya, and proposed three steps to mitigate the damage caused by the incident.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Wee said if implemented, the measures could also prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.
The first measure, Wee said, was to halt the One City development project.
“A stop-work order should be immediately issued to allow thorough investigations to be carried out.
“Secondly, Kota Kemuning assemblyperson and Selangor exco member V Ganabatirau, who yesterday issued a statement blaming a certain religion for the chaos, before amending it to ‘gangsters’ three hours later, should delete his statement and issue a public apology.
“His statement has triggered tension among the races, by portraying a certain race and religion as the perpetrators,” wrote Wee.
Ganabatirau had initially implied that there were other races involved in the temple scuffle, which was aimed at creating racial disharmony in the country.
The DAP lawmaker later amended his statement following backlash from netizens, who dubbed his remarks as racist.
He has since said that he is willing to apologise if it will help appease the tense situation.
Stop openly criticising the authorities
The third step, Wee said, is for all politicians, especially ministers, to immediately stop issuing public statements condemning the conduct of the authorities, including the police, in the matter.
“Any grievance or disagreement should be discussed behind closed doors, with the said agencies, through government channels.
“You must remember that you are part of the government, as are the said agencies. Interact with them to understand (their situation) instead of blindly pointing fingers. You are no longer the opposition.
“This is also to prevent the enforcement agencies from becoming the subject of ridicule or hatred,” said Wee.
Although Wee did not mention names, this could be in reference to the joint statement by four ministers, and a deputy minister, yesterday, chiding the Subang Jaya police, for issuing what they alleged was a false claim regarding the early morning fight at the temple yesterday.
They said that the police statement initially described the clash as a fight between two ethnic Indian groups, but it was later amended to exempt the race, to say it was a clash between two “groups” of people.
Wee further condemned the attack on Fire and Rescue Department personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who sustained severe injuries during this morning’s riot, and prayed for the latter’s speedy recovery.
The temple was supposed to have been relocated on Nov 22.
Plans to relocate the temple have been ongoing since 2007, after the land it is located on was purchased by One City Development Sdn Bhd.
In 2014, a consent judgment was entered into in court, where One City and two rival camps vying for control of the temple agreed to relocate it to a plot of land 3km away.
One City had also donated RM1.5 million to the temple as part of the settlement agreement.
However, devotees have continued to resist efforts to relocate the temple, which was built in 1891.
Fire Dept chief: No police around when firemen attacked
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid recounted how his personnel were attacked near the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya this morning.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting Muhammad Adib Muhammad Kasim, the department’s medical personnel, who is on life support at a private hospital.
Hamdan said a fire truck and an emergency response van had responded to a distress call about a fire.
He said there was no police personnel near them at the time, and the team had taken a back lane as it was the fastest route.
“When they stopped their vehicles and the front crew alighted, people came towards them and started attacking the vehicles. On the commander’s instructions, they retreated,” he added.
Hamdan said the rioters then threw stones as well as attacked the vehicles with pieces of wood and steel rods, smashing the windows, side mirrors and doors.
The fire department chief said it was during this chaos that the 24-year-old Adib (photo) was dragged out of the vehicle and assaulted.
Hamdan said Muhammad Adib’s partner, who did not realise that the victim was not in the vehicle, sped off in order to flee from the mob.
‘It could have been planned’
“They did not leave him behind. They were in a ‘kelam kabut‘ (confusing) situation. We predict that if they had stayed there longer, more could have been hurt.
“The crowd came suddenly, even when things had calmed down. This means it could have been planned, we are not sure,” he added.
According to Hamdan, Adib’s lungs are failing. He sustained injuries to his chest and abdomen.
“He has bruises all over, on his abdomen and chest. We suspect that is the cause for his fractured ribs which punctured his lungs and affected his intestines. He is still on life support,” he said.
Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, who was also at the hospital, said he was saddened by the incident.
He said the state government would be taking care of Adib’s medical bills.
We are praying for injured fireman, says temple chairperson
The chairperson of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya said prayers are being held for Fire and Rescue Department personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who sustained severe injuries during this morning’s riot.
“We regret the attack on him and are praying that he recovers soon.
“We have explained our stand and the violence which occurred, to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin. She understands our situation,” he added.
The chairperson, who only identifies himself as Ramaji, said the temple committee is also planning to visit Muhammad Adib, who is in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Subang Jaya, later today.
Ramaji also distanced the temple from what transpired this morning.
“We wish to stress that the temple has nothing to do with the violence. We regret what happened and hope the authorities will take the appropriate action (against those involved),” he told reporters.
Muhammad Adib (photo), 24, was dragged out of his vehicle and assaulted when the medic and other fire and rescue personnel responded to a distress call.
Meanwhile, Ramaji stressed that the “Save the Seafield Temple Committee” would continue to oppose the relocation of the temple.
“In the past, there was still room for discussion. But when we were attacked two nights ago, this shut the door on possible negotiations. We want the temple to remain here. That’s it,” he added.
Ramaji’s statement drew applause from supporters of the temple who were present.
The Sri Maha Mariamman temple was supposed to have been relocated on Nov 22.
Plans to relocate the temple have been ongoing since 2007, after the land it is located on was purchased by developer One City Development Bhd.
In 2014, a consent judgment was entered into in court, where One City and two rival camps vying for control of the temple agreed to relocate it to a plot of land three kilometres away.
One City had also donated RM1.5 million to the temple as part of the settlement agreement.
However, devotees have continued to resist efforts to relocate the temple, which was built in 1891.
THE STAR / MKINI
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