Waytha, Kula berated during temple visit

SUBANG JAYA: Tensions ran high when Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P. Waytha Moorthy and Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran visited the Sri Maha Mariamman Seafield temple in USJ25, following the riots.

The two ministers had to endure angry berating by several supporters of the temple who scolded them for not showing up sooner.

“Where were you yesterday? Now you come when everything is over!” shouted a supporter at the ministers and the policemen who were escorting the duo.

It took about five minutes for some of the temple task force members to calm the supporters, in order for the ministers to hold a press conference.

“We have spoken to the temple task force members and we hear your concerns.

“We will bring your concerns and demands to the Prime Minister,” said Waytha Moorthy on Tuesday (Nov 27).

He added that the Prime Minister was very concerned about this issue.

“The federal government guarantees that the temple will not be demolished, until the matter is properly resolved.

“We will be discussing this matter at the highest level, as well as with the Attorney General and the Selangor Mentri Besar to resolve the issue amicably,” he said.

Waytha Moorthy said that the incident, which was not racially motivated, has caused some racial tension.

“We urged everyone to stay calm and remain peaceful in this harmonious country of ours,” he said.

Kulasegaran echoed the same sentiments, saying that the issue is something that is faced by over a hundred temples nationwide. 

“We, the Pakatan Harapan goverment, are working very hard to resolve the matter in a consistent and fair manner.

“Until then, let’s all stay calm and keep the peace,” he said.

The ministers also said that special prayers would be held at the temple on Tuesday to pray for the well being of those hurt in the violence.

A scuffle broke out between two rival groups at the temple early Monday (Nov 26).

The incident is believed to have been sparked by the fracas between two opposing groups over the relocation of the temple to USJ 23.

Early Tuesday, a group who had congregated at the temple turned rowdy when they smashed glass panels at the One City Mall.

The Selangor police said 21 people have been arrested so far over the fracas.- Star