PETALING JAYA,26/11/2018 Situation after violent riot at Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya.
Legal firm Skrine today denied that its lawyers are those said to have hired the group that accosted devotees at a temple in Subang Jaya on Monday.
In a statement today, the firm clarified that while it is acting for One City Development Bhd in civil proceedings involving possession of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple land, it was not involved in the alleged hiring of “thugs”.
“We categorically state that we are not the lawyers referred to by the home minister. None of our lawyers have been arrested by the police,” the statement read.
Earlier today, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said it has been established that “lawyers of the developer” had hired a group of men to barge into the temple to take over the property as part of the developer’s land transfer efforts.
“The home minister also reportedly stated that lawyers who paid the thugs were among the 21 arrested by the police.
“We have no knowledge whatsoever of the alleged hiring of thugs and condemn in the strongest terms any such action,” the firm said in the statement.
Skrine maintained that its work as solicitors for the developer has been and will continue to be strictly in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, another law firm Messrs Thomas Philip in a separate statement denied that it is acting for One City at all.
“Messrs Thomas Philip were solicitors on record for One City in relation to Shah Alam High Court suit no 21-353-1996 which was resolved by way of consent order dated March 11, 2014.
“On Dec 30, 2015, a new firm of solicitors was instructed by One City to take over the conduct and all matters arising from the consent order.
“In that regard, it has been three years since December 2015 that Messrs Thomas Philip had ceased to act for One City,” the statement from the firm said. – MKINI
Developer again denies hiring thugs in temple attack
THE developer in the centre of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple issue has denied hiring or authorising the hiring of thugs who went on a riot at the place of worship on Monday morning.
The denial from One City Development Sdn Bhd came hours after Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that police investigations revealed that the Malay thugs who rioted at the temple were hired by lawyers linked to the developer.
Muhyiddin had said that initial investigations revealed that the lawyers paid the leader of a Malay group RM150,000 to storm, take over, and guard the temple before officials from the developer’s company turned up later, accompanied by the police to carry out the relocation process.
“One City Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MCT BHD, categorically denies hiring or authorising the hiring of ‘thugs’ to initiate the riot in the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, as mentioned in recent news reports,” the statement from the developer read.
“The personnel onsite were directed to provide logistical support and assist in the orderly relocation under police watch.
“It continues to cooperate with the police authorities in the investigation of the incident.”
This is the second statement issued by One City denying any role in the temple attack.
The first statement was released yesterday, and added that it “shares the shock of the nation”.
In the incident, a group of about 50 masked men, some armed with machetes and iron rods, stormed the temple about 2am on Monday.
A clash broke out between the attackers and the devotees who were protecting the temple, leaving several injured.
More than 20 vehicles and motorcycles were also torched and damaged in two days of unrest at the temple grounds.
In a press conference earlier today, Muhyiddin also questioned how the lawyers could afford to pay the Malay thugs RM150,000, adding the authorities have assumed a link between the lawyers and developers involved in the case.
To date, police have arrested 28 suspects linked to the case, including the two lawyers. – THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
Errant lawyers will be punished, says Malaysian Bar
THE Malaysian Bar has said it does not condone any professional misconduct among its members and will ensure proper action is taken against those who have done wrong.
Malaysian Bar president George Varughese said the body condemned any involvement by any lawyer in unlawful actions.
He said these would amount to gross professional misconduct and a serious breach of professional ethics.
He was referring to Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s remarks earlier today that initial investigations revealed lawyers linked to One City Development Sdn Bhd had paid RM150,000 to a Malay group to attack Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple before officials from the company could carry out a relocation process.
The developer, however, has denied hiring or authorising the hiring of thugs who went on a riot at the house of worship on Monday morning.
Varughese said the authorities must conduct a thorough investigation of any wrongdoings.
“If there is evidence of any professional misconduct, the Bar will immediately lodge a complaint with the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board and prosecute the complaint to the fullest extent.
“It will then be the responsibility of the ASDB – a body independent of the Bar – to adjudicate the matter and to mete out appropriate disciplinary punishment,” he said.
He added the Malaysian Bar was also prepared to render assistance to the authorities in investigating the matter. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
MKINI / THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
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