Witnesses afraid to help cops in temple fracas probe, Suhakam told

Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail accepts the memorandum from a group of activists today

KUALA LUMPUR: One of the activists who opposed the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Seafield, Subang Jaya has urged the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to protect witnesses, including those injured during the violent protests late last month.

The commission was also told that many were afraid to step forward to help police investigating the incident.

In a memorandum to Suhakam, Elangovan Annamalai and several groups today called for an independent investigation into the riots outside the temple, where a mob had allegedly assaulted a fireman.

Mohamad Adib Mohd Kassim died on Dec 17, three weeks after the alleged assault.

The memorandum today said in the aftermath of Adib’s death, ethnic Indians and Hindus have been the target of online abuse.

But Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail said the commission was not empowered to intervene in any police investigation.

“We are obliged to look into your complaints, within our ability. We can follow the incident closely, we can ask and enquire from the police, we can do all that.

“However, I don’t think we are in the position to request for a separate independent investigation at this point in time,” he said.

Suhakam said it would study video clips and witness accounts on the temple riots.

Elangovan invited the public to pass to him evidence including video clips and online postings.

“I will then pass them to Suhakam before they pass it to the police,” he told reporters today.

“If the police ask Suhakam where the videos came from, Suhakam would give them my name,” he added.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Action Force (MIAFORCE) president Dayalan Sreebalan said witnesses would be encouraged to provide evidence if their identities were protected.

Elangovan said some of those arrested for taking part in the riots were identified from Facebook Live videos.

Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai said police can only make arrests if there was reasonable suspicion.

“Otherwise, these would be wrongful arrests, and I’m sure the police are mindful of that,” he said. - FMT