IGP: Water cannons not used to avoid escalating situation

The police refrained from using water cannons to disperse the rioters outside the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya this morning to avoid escalating the situation.

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the rioters were close to a place of worship and such factors are taken into consideration.

"Are we going to use water cannons on a place of worship? Is it logical to do so?" he asked.

“If we did that, we will invite (retaliation) and what not. We must act according to the situation at hand," he told reporters.

Responding to a question on why the police did not stop the rampage, Fuzi said it is easier said than done, and complained about how the police are blamed regardless of what action is taken.

"It's easy for you to say. It's not that easy (for us) because (the incident took place) near a place of worship.

"If we had used force, we would be blamed. If we help, we would be blamed as well," he added.

Multiple eyewitnesses and Malaysiakini reporters did not observe attempts by the police to disperse the crowd last night.

Pressed further on the manner in which the police responded to the riot, Fuzi said sometimes his personnel are on the move.

“Like 'One City' (MCT Bhd's office which was attacked), it is quite far from the temple, about 1km from the area (temple).

“You don't expect us to cover up to 100 percent of the area. Unless we have specific information, then we raid,” he added.

When pointed out that the rioters had marched from the temple where the police were present but did not act, Fuzi trained his guns on the reporters.

“The way you ask is as if you want to blame us. You must understand the procedure and so forth. We will not give space, we must take action immediately, on the spot,” he added.

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 is on life support after he was attacked by a mob this morning.

The rioters eventually dispersed on their own after it started raining at about 3am. There were two arrests early this morning at the scene. - Mkini