Riots: Philippines' Ayala Corp to extend full co-operation, says lawyer

Ayala Corporation, which is based in the Philippines, has promised to cooperate in the investigations concerning the unrest over the status of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya.

The corporation is the majority owner of MCT Bhd, which in turn owns One City Development Bhd.

According to One City Development's lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla, the corporation had communicated its pledge in a letter to the Prime Minister's Office this morning.

"They are also saddened that there is an accusation against them of being involved in the activity of hiring thugs, which they completely deny," he told a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

One City Development owns the land on which the temple is located.

Yesterday, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the group which accosted devotees at the temple on the morning of Nov 26 were hired those linked to the developer.

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun clarified today that the "lawyer" who allegedly hired men to secure the temple, which subsequently led to the riots, was a company adviser.

Clearing misconceptions

During the same press conference, Haniff and another lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali clarified that they were only acting on behalf of the developer for criminal cases concerning the incident.

He said they called for the press conference to clear the misconception that they were representing the alleged men who were arrested by the police.

"We are only representing two officers and an employee of the company, who might not necessarily have been at the scene.

"We have never represented any individuals who allegedly attacked any party during the incident," he added.

Haniff also pointed out a Facebook posting by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, which implicated him and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the riot.

The Facebook post showed a photo of Haniff and Mahathir, with a caption that suggested that the premier shared the same lawyer with the attackers.

Haniff said this was a dangerous attempt to implicate the country's leadership in the incident, and that he would lodge a report with authorities over the matter.

'Reckless remarks'

Meanwhile, Haniff also rebuked Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy for making remarks which he described as "reckless".

He claimed that the minister's statement on Monday blaming the police for issuing a “false claim” regarding the parties involved in the first riot, had attracted huge numbers of outsiders to go to the temple, which led to another incident the following night and saw a firefighter severely injured.

"I would really like to urge all parties to be more disciplined in handling matters like this," he said, adding that all ministers should be responsible in making statements.

Meanwhile, Rafique said everyone should give the authorities room to conduct investigations into the case.

"Give the police the chance and room to finish their investigation. Let them finish, then it will be clearer," he said.

Reports inaccurate

Meanwhile, in a statement later, Ayala Land Inc said media reports that point to the company for allegedly hiring thugs to facilitate the relocation of the temple, were "absolutely inaccurate". 

"The personnel on site, were in fact, directed to provide logistical support and assist in the orderly relocation under police watch.

"The temple transfer operations have always been coordinated with the local authorities and relevant agencies to ensure its proper and peaceful relocation. We are cognizant and respectful of the cultural and religious sensitivities in Malaysia, which we thought were being handled appropriately.

"We sincerely regret the situation. We are fully committed to the Malaysian government and the leadership of the prime minister for guidance and appropriate resolution at the earliest possible time," read the statement.

Yesterday, One City Development Sdn Bhd reiterated its denial of dispatching thugs to the temple, stressing in the same words as its parent company today, that: "the personnel on site were directed to provide logistical support and assist in the orderly relocation under police watch." - Mkini