THE police should have been faster in dealing with the mob outside a temple in Seafield over the last 48 hours, said a coalition of civil society groups today.
The Plan of Action for Malaysia (POAM) coalition said speedy action by the police could have prevented the vandalism at the One City building this morning.
“They (the police) could have known the issue was developing, so they should have been more proactive.
“We understand that the police are handling many issues, but at the same time, if they had an inkling of the issue, they should have monitored the situation better,” POAM chairman Zaid Kamarrudin said today.
Among the groups in POAM are Tamil Foundation Malaysia, The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Suaram, My Petaling Jaya, and Saudara Sociocultural Research.
POAM said the violence at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple and the One City building that happened on two consecutive days had once again raised the need for an Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
He said this would provide an opportunity for disgruntled groups to take their complaints to the IPCMC and a fair investigation.
POAM also read out a message by social activist Marina Mahathir and human rights activist Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Marina said irresponsible people should not be allowed to tarnish the good image the country had gained after the 14th general election.
“I feel sad that the hopes we had on May 9th are being destroyed by a few irresponsible people. We earn respect for our country throughout the world not by inciting hate and violence, but by treating one another with love and respect,” she said.
Ambiga said she hoped all parties would stand down and find a peaceful resolution to the situation.
“It pains me to see a place of religious worship, which should be a place of unity and peace, at the centre of violence and hurt.
“This must stop and I would ask everyone to act with cool heads and resolve this matter,” she said. – THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
Ex-MCT director, One City residents disassociate from temple matter
Former MCT Bhd director Tong Seech Wi (above, right) today clarified that he was not involved in the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple relocation issue which had triggered rioting.
This was after a photograph of him and another executive was circulated on social media, along with a post accusing them of hiring thugs to enforce the relocation of the temple.
“It has come to my attention that my photograph is being spread on social media linking me with the land where the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is located.
“I categorically deny any involvement with the recent events that have taken place.
“I exited MCT Bhd in February 2018 when I sold the majority of my shares in the company. I have not been a director since I resigned on Feb 28, 2018.
“Hence, I no longer have any dealings with the management or the operations of MCT Bhd or its subsidiary One City Development Sdn Bhd,” he said in a statement.
One City Development owns the land on which the temple sits on.
On a personal note, Tong said he was disheartened by the incidences that had occurred in relation to the temple.
“I urge all parties to remain calm and resolve this matter amicably,” he said.
MCT was earlier this year acquired by the Philippines-based Ayala Corporation conglomerate.
‘Sky Park nothing to do with MCT’
Meanwhile, residents of the Sky Park@One City integrated development today said they too had nothing to do with the temple relocation issue.
This was after rioters attacked and damaged the MCT Tower early this morning, which is part of Sky Park@One City.
Its joint management committee said their development was by One City Properties Sdn Bhd, which no longer had anything to do with MCT Bhd or its subsidiary One City Development Sdn Bhd.
“One City Properties Sdn Bhd was sold by MCT Bhd in December 2017 and neither MCT Bhd nor One City Development Sdn Bhd own the One City mixed integrated development now,” it said.
According to news reports, MCT Bhd had sold One City Properties Sdn Bhd to Bra Ventures Sdn Bhd.
Bras Ventures, on its website, describes itself as a “100 percent bumiputra construction company offering engineering services related to mechanical and electrical engineering, civil construction and power transmission and distribution related project”.
The joint-management committee said MCT is only a tenant of MCT Tower but does not own the building which comes under One City Properties, now effectively owned by Bra Ventures.
“MCT Tower is also occupied by other tenants including several multi-national corporations.
“We would like to make known that all the properties and units in One City in USJ25 are owned by individual owners, and managed by three joint management bodies (JMB) as provided under the Strata Management Act 2013,” it said.
On Monday, clashes between devotees at the temple and a group of outsiders escalated into a riot.
The Seafield temple was supposed to be relocated following a consent judgment but there were disagreements over the matter.
Thousands of supporters turned up near the temple in the early hours of Tuesday in a show of support.
This degenerated into a second round of rioting, with Fire and Rescue Department personnel being attacked, landing one in an intensive care unit. – MKINI
One City denies involvement in Seafield temple incident
ONE City Development has been left puzzled as to why police are linking it to yesterday’s attack on the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.
In a statement today, the developer said it “shares the shock of the nation” regarding the Monday morning incident.
“However, One City wishes to reiterate that it had nothing to do with the early morning scuffle,” it said, adding that was “surprised” by reports quoting Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim implying the developer was involved.
“One City respects the authorities’ investigation into this morning’s incident, and we hope that the authorities can share any evidence allegedly linking us to the incident, as implied.
“One City has always been open and transparent in this matter. We are more than willing to assist the authorities in their investigations and have nothing to hide. In fact, One City’s senior management has already communicated with the police and fixed an appointment to assist the police in their investigation.
Noor Rashid had been quoted by Bernama as saying yesterday: “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.”
In seeking further clarification on these remarks, One City said it always followed the rule of law and due process.
It said this was evident by both the lengthy court cases it had gone through and discussions held with the relevant stakeholders.
One City added its compensation of land for a new site for the temple at RM1.5 million, as well as its willingness to delay the relocation of the temple to accommodate devotees was evidence of its commitment to a “peaceful resolution to this matter”.
“We abhor the violence that took place this morning and would never even think of being involved in such acts. Furthermore, pursuant to the 2014 consent judgment, we would have no reason to engage mobs as the authorities are already bound by the court order to assist in the process with the ultimate goal of ensuring a peaceful relocation.”
Police have rounded up 21 suspects involved in the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple attack early yesterday, which has since sparked unease among Malaysians.
Selangor police chief Mazlan Mansor said 19 people were arrested yesterday and another two this morning.
He said the suspects were being investigated for rioting with weapons and that the police would apply for remand orders to facilitate their investigation. Twenty-three cars were also torched at the temple, he added.
On Monday morning, a group of at least 50 persons armed with sticks, iron rods and machetes, stormed the temple grounds at 2.15am.
At the time, about 100 devotees, who have been guarding the temple since Friday, were there.
The attackers also allegedly held some people hostage, beat up devotees and damaged parts of the temple. They were also accused of desecration by exposing themselves to the deities in the temple.
The devotees, backed by civil society groups, had accused the developer of sending in the thugs. – THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT / MKINI
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