KOTA BARU— The scuffle at a Hindu temple in USJ25 near Subang Jaya, Selangor, early today was not a racial clash, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
He said a preliminary investigation found that it is believed to be due to the acquisition of land in the area that was said to have been done “in an unpleasant manner” between the landowner and the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
“Perhaps the side wanting to take over (the land) engaged a group of Malay men to facilitate the acquisition. It is possible that they are gangsters and, of course, the Indian group attempted to check the intrusion.
“I have to clarify because it is a sensitive issue and I do not want anyone to take advantage (of the situation). There is no issue of a racial clash,” he said.
Noor Rashid spoke to reporters after the presentation of the Pingat Jasa Negara 2018 awards to 34 senior officers and 310 lower rank policemen. The event was also attended by Kelantan Police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan.
He said the incident was sparked off at about 2.30am after a group of about 50 men believed to be Malays intruded into the temple and this was realised by several Indian caretakers.
The caretakers contacted their friends and informed them of the intrusion, resulting in about 200 Indian men rushing there and cordoning off the temple, he said.
“During the siege, the police arrived at the scene. The intruders attempted to flee and a clash erupted between the two groups. As a result, three men were injured while several vehicles were reportedly torched,” he said.
Noor Rashid said the police will open an investigation into the incident, involving intrusion of the temple and the violence of the groups which resulted in the torching of 18 cars.
He reminded all quarters to refrain from circulating fake news over the incident for fear that it will undermine national security. — Bernama
It was not a racial clash – temple priest calls for calm
The fracas at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya this morning was not a racial clash, said the temple’s priest S Jayakumar (above).
“I appeal to all quarters, including Hindus in Malaysia, to be patient and not make provocative statements on social media.
“I wish to stress it was not a racial riot but the cruel action of those who want to demolish this temple,” he told Malaysiakini.
As for the two intruders who were injured, Jayakumar said this happened when the pair angered the devotees in the temple.
“One of them stepped on a statue while another damaged a lamp with a parang. These were the two who were assaulted,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, K Selvam (photo), one of those held at knifepoint by the intruders, claimed that the latter was acting on orders from outsiders.
“The person leading the group was repeatedly calling someone to explain what was happening and to receive new instructions.
“To my knowledge, they took five of us hostage to move the statues. However, this failed when the temple people retaliated,” he told Malaysiakini.
Selvam claimed that he also saw a parking card from a firm implicated in the incident.
Earlier, MIC president SA Vigneswaran visited the temple and donated RM20,000. He also said the incident should not be politicised.
As of 5pm, there were still some 500 people at the temple grounds.
A Subang resident, who wished to be identified only as Nathan, said he has been at the temple since 7am to show his support. – MKINI
BERNAMA / MKINI
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