Seafield temple issue: Act against ministers, exco, says Umno Youth

Umno Youth has called for immediate action against four ministers and a Selangor exco member for blaming the authorities and for allegedly issuing racial statements at the onset of the Subang Jaya Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya last month.

In a statement, its chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also urged Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, P Waythamoorthy, to resign following the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohamad Kassim last night who was injured in a riot that followed the temple's intrusion.

"Umno Youth urges the attorney-general so take strict action against Selangor exco member V Ganabatirau and four other ministers including Waythamoorthy, M Kulasegaran, Gobind Singh Deo, and Dr Xavier Jayakumar, under Section 504 of the Penal Code which pertains to intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace," he said.

In wake of the clash at the temple between a group of thugs and the temple's devotees on Nov 26, the ministers had chided the Subang Jaya police for initially claiming that the tussle concerned two ethnic Indian groups. The police statement was later amended to say it was a clash between two groups of people.

 The lawmakers had also alleged that the police were about two hours late to arrive at the scene after the fight had erupted.

As for Ganabatirau, he had initially uploaded a status on his Facebook account claiming that a group of Muslims were attacking the temple but later amended the statement and has since apologised. The police have also recorded his statement over the matter.

'Waytha must resign'

Asyraf today claimed that it was the ministers' placing blame on the police, as well as Ganabatirau's initial statement, which had instigated thousands of ethnic Indians to take to the area in front of the temple on Nov 27 which eventually culminated in a riot and Adib's death.

"Umno Youth wants the investigation and prosecution to be carried out in a transparent and fair manner and without fear or favour. Justice must not only be done but it must also be seen to be done.

"Umno Youth would also like to urge Waythamoorty to resign as the unity minister, as he has not only failed to ease the tension between the races but instead has angered the Indians more by blaming the police for the intrusion which caused the ensuing riot to break out," said Asyraf.

Asyraf further urged all quarters to remain calm and refrain from making any further racially-charged remarks which can worsen the situation," he added.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement later Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad also urged the authorities to expedite the proceedings in the case so that those responsible for Adib's untimely demise will be brought to justice.

"Should it be proven that there were criminal elements involved, those responsible for Adib's death should be given the strictest punishment possible," said the Parit Sulong MP.

Noraini further urged Adib's fiancee Nurul Najihah Mohd Radzi, 25, to remain strong in facing the test. The couple were to be married this coming Saturday.

Adib, 24, was part of the Fire and Rescue Department team that had been deployed in response to vehicles that were torched by rioters on Nov 27.

However, the rioters attacked the personnel, forcing them to flee.

Adib was dragged out of his vehicle and beaten up causing him to suffer several broken ribs and injuries to multiple organs.

His condition had initially improved after undergoing treatment at the National Heart Institute but he eventually fell critically ill and was put back on life support.

He succumbed to his injuries at about 9.41pm yesterday.  - Mkini