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19 December 2018

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18 December 2018

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SUBANG JAYA, Dec 18 — The situation at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and One City business complex in USJ here remains calm although there are fears of another riot following the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Kassim yesterday.

There were three Federal Reserve Unit trucks stationed near the temple with about 30 personnel and 15 police officers, including those in plainclothes, when Malay Mail visited the location at 2pm.

A reliable source at the temple said about 10 devotees turned up this morning compared to about 20 on an average week day.

The source also said the temple management has not been given any instruction by authorities to close.

“There has been a decline in the number of devotees ever since the riot. However the number was back to slightly normal after the announcement by the Attorney-General three days ago that One City Development Sdn Bhd will transfer the plot of land on which the temple is located to a trust to be administered by the High Court.

“The situation here today is under control as it is a weekday and the temple usually sees a crowd on Friday and on the weekend,” the source said.

https://www.malaymail.com/s/1704216/under-guard-by-fru-and-police-seafield-temple-remains-open-as-usual

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SUBANG JAYA – 392 police personnel have moved in to secure the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and One City business complex in USJ 25.

The 392 include normal uniformed police, plainclothes policemen and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) detachments.

A drive-by One City complex saw several FRU vehicles parked at the business complex.

According to police personnel at the temple, three checkpoints have been set up on the roads turning into USJ 25, although one is deactivated currently to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Police personnel said they had moved in at midnight soon after news broke of firefighter Muhammad Adib Kassim’s passing.

ANN

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Umno Youth wants 4 Indian ministers, exco charged with breaching peace

UMNO Youth wants four Indian ministers and a Selangor exco prosecuted for breaching public peace via their statements on the riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya last month.

The violence, said the wing, ultimately led to the death of 24-year-old fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim last night from injuries sustained when he was assaulted during the incident.

“Umno Youth calls for justice and the prosecution of those responsible for the death of Adib, who was only doing his duty,” said wing chief Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in a statement today.

“We urge the attorney-general to take action against Selangor exco V. Ganabatirau and four ministers – the minister in charge of unity, P. Waytha Moorthy; (Human Resources Minister) M. Kula Segaran; (Communications and Multimedia Minister) Gobind Singh Deo; and (Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister) Dr Xavier Jayakumar – by charging them under Section 504 of the Penal Code for issuing statements with the intention of breaching public peace.”

The four ministers had issued a statement on the morning of November 26, following predawn unrest at the temple when masked men attacked devotees.

The cabinet members slammed Subang Jaya police for describing the clash as a fight between two Indian groups.

The masked men were Malays, and it later emerged that the group was hired to secure the temple grounds as preparation for the house of worship’s relocation to another plot. The private developer that owned the land on which the temple sits then denied hiring thugs to secure the premises.

Ganabatirau took to Facebook, calling the temple attackers “a Muslim group”. He later apologised for the post, and edited the words to “gangsters”.

Umno Youth said these statements stirred anger among the Indian community, resulting in “10,000 Indians” coming out the following night to riot, during which Adib was assaulted.

“It had already been reported that the home minister in Parliament said the clash was not racial in nature, but stemmed from a dispute between the temple and gangsters engaged (to secure the land),” said Asyraf.

“As members of the government, they should avoid using racial sentiments in their statements.”

He added that Umno Youth also wants Waytha Moorthy to resign from the cabinet over his failure as unity minister to soothe racial tensions.

https://www.themalaysianinsight.com

https://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/?p=147881

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16 December 2018

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By Nor Azizah Mokhtar – December 16, 2018 @ 4:16pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Police today reminded members of the public not to believe viral news on police arrest in relation to the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple fracas on Nov 26.

Selangor police chief Datuk Mazlan Mansor said the details on the arrest which had gone viral on social media should not be considered as valid information.

“We urge members of the public not take viral news which is not confirmed by the police as their source of reference regarding the case.

“This is because such news can be created before it is posted on the social media,” he told the New Straits Times Press today.

He said this when asked to comment on a viral message over police arrest of a man allegedly acting as middleman hiring a group of gangsters to guard the temple who had caused the fracas.

Mazlan said the man mentioned in the viral post was arrested on Dec 3.

“He was remanded for three-day and has been released on police bail on Dec 6. However investigation on the man was still ongoing.

“Therefore, we urge the public not to disseminate any baseless news as stern action can be taken against them,” he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2018/12/441203/do-not-spread-or-believe-viral-messages-seafield-temple-incident

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KUALA LUMPUR: A message containing information about the arrest of a man connected to the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple fracas on Nov 26 went viral today.

The man was said to be the middleman for hiring a group of gangsters to “guard” the temple.

Apart from details on the arrest, the post also had two photos believed to be that of the individual arrested by the police, with his personal details.

According to the post, the arrest was made at Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 by a team from Klang Selatan district police headquarters.

However, the date of arrest was not mentioned in the report.

Also revealed were the man’s national identity card (IC) number and his address.

[[gn4id:11730714]]

The report alleged the man received RM150,000 from lawyers representing the developer and giving RM50,000 of that amount to a third party to guard the temple.

The 32-year-old man was also said to head a gang and conduct activities to “protect” entertainment centres by providing security and guarding illegal parking around the capital.

The report further stated that the man admitted to receiving the money when interrogated by the police.

Meanwhile, police sources said that man mentioned in the post was among suspects who were arrested in Ops Seafield to facilitate investigation into the temple fracas.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/national/message-on-man-arrested-over-seafield-temple-fracas-goes-viral/ar-BBQYI66?ocid=ob-tw-ensg-489

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4 December 2018

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PETALING JAYA: Four men, including a security officer of developer One City Development Sdn Bhd, were charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with rioting while using dangerous weapons.

Muhammad Ridzuan Sekh Ruslan, 26, Irwan Nordin, 38, Mohd Khairi Abd Rashid, 24, and Rozaihan Jamaludin, 38, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate Nor Ariffin Hisham.

According to the charges, all the four allegedly took part in a riot together with several others still at large while armed with a machete, axe, knife and a piece of wood.

They were alleged to have committed the offences at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya between 2am and 5am on Nov 26.

The charges were made under Section 148 of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum jail term of five years or a fine or both on conviction.

The court allowed all four to be bailed for RM10,000 in one surety each. They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court and report themselves once a month to the nearest police station until their case was settled.

DPP Salim Hamid led the prosecution and the case will be mentioned again on Jan 17, 2019.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/12/04/4-men-charged-in-court-over-temple-riot/

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3 December 2018

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PAPAR: Sixty-eight people have been arrested so far to facilitate investigations in connection with the riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple last Monday, says Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

“We cannot estimate how many more will be arrested because it depends on the investigation,” he told reporters here after presenting the “Jasa Pahlawan Negara” medal to 414 police officers and personnel from the Sabah police contingent.

He said the situation at the temple was under control, with police officers and personnel from the General Operations Force and Federal Reserve Unit stationed there to monitor the area.

He also advised the people to be responsible when disseminating information through social media.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/12/03/68-arrested-so-far-over-temple-riot/

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30 November 2018

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DUA individu yang ditahan kerana dipercayai terbabit dalam kejadian memecahkan cermin dan pintu pusat yang berlaku di pusat beli-belah One City, awal pagi Selasa lalu direman selama tiga hari bermula hari ini.

Majistret Nor Ariffin Hisham di Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya mengeluarkan perintah reman terhadap dua suspek berusia 30-an itu sehingga Sabtu ini bagi membantu siasatan kes di bawah Seksyen 148 Kanun Keseksaan kerana merusuh.

Seksyen itu memperuntukkan hukuman penjara maksimum lima tahun atau denda, atau kedua-duanya sekali, jika disabit kesalahan.

Sementara itu, perintah reman selama empat hari turut dikeluarkan terhadap lapan lagi individu yang dikatakan terbabit dalam insiden rusuhan di Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman, USJ 25, Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.

Nor Ariffin membenarkan permohonan pegawai penyiasat kes untuk menahan reman kelapan-lapan suspek sehingga Ahad ini.

Kesemua mereka ditahan bagi membantu siasatan kes di bawah Kanun Keseksaan mengikut Seksyen 435 (khianat dengan api), Seksyen 148 (merusuh), Seksyen dan Seksyen 447 (pencerobohan jenayah).

Setakat ini, 30 orang direman di Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya bagi membantu siasatan berhubung kejadian rusuhan yang berlaku di perkarangan kuil serta kawasan pusat membeli-belah One City, pada awal Isnin dan Selasa lalu.

https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2018/11/399313/rusuhan-kuil-30-orang-sudah-direman

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IPOH: A total of 42 people have been arrested to facilitate police investigation on the Sri Maha Mariamman temple riot on Monday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the operation to track down those involved in the riot was still ongoing.

He said the situation at the temple had nearly been brought back to normal, despite the presence of several people who gathered at the area yesterday.

He said the police were doing their best in assuring the public safety.

“I do not wish to comment further on the issue; I only want to inform that currently, the situation is almost fully brought under control.

“There were about 25 to people gathering (near the temple) yesterday, but (fortunately) there was no incident reported.

“I hope that the police are working hard to fully restore (temple) situation for the sake of people’s livelihood,” he told a Press conference after witnessing the handing over of duties of the Perak police chief at the police officer’s mess here today.

State deputy police chief Datuk Razarudin Husain@Abd Rasid would assume the duties of Perak police chief to replace retired Datuk Hasnan Hassan.

Mohamad Fuzi said he hoped all parties involved would refrain from issuing statements that could create tension among the people.

“I hope all quarters parties involved will respectively control their emotions and sentiments.

“If everyone makes responsible statements, I am confident that we (police) will be able to restore order,” he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/436009/seafield-temple-riot-42-arrested-so-far-igp

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29 November 2018

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Innocent victims…

 

One City Development Sdn Bhd and MCT Berhad were only tenants that do not own the units. All properties, including the office tower and units in One City, USJ 25, are owned by 939 individual owners. The incident was unfortunate as the demonstrators had thought that the properties were related to the owners and developers of the temple land.

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SUBANG JAYA, Nov 29 — The Joint Management Bodies (JMBs) of three property projects located in the vicinity of One City in Subang Jaya today said that they had no links to One City Development Sdn Bhd and MCT Berhad.

One City Development Sdn Bhd is the developer of the land where the Sri Maha Mariamman Devastanam temple is located, of which MCT Berhad is the land owner.

Earlier this week, riots broke out at the temple after a lawyer allegedly sent thugs to clear the site and enforce a court order.

The JMBs — namely JMB SkyPark, JMB The Place and JMB The Square — witnessed their properties vandalised and some of their cars torched.

Spokesman for the JMBs, Chong Li Loh, said in a media briefing today that the incident was unfortunate as the demonstrators had thought that the properties were related to the owners and developers of the temple land.

“All properties, including the office tower and units in One City, USJ 25, are owned by 939 individual owners and managed by the three JMBs,” said Chong.

He clarified that One City Development Sdn Bhd and MCT Berhad were only tenants that do not own the units.

https://www.malaymail.com/s/1698366/post-temple-riot-three-one-city-jmbs-distance-themselves-from-one-city-deve

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SHAH ALAM: The Shah Alam High Court has rejected a bid to postpone the takeover of the land housing the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Seafield, Subang Jaya, which has been the scene of violent clashes following a mob attack by an unknown group on Monday.

The decision by judge M Gunalan means the process to relocate the temple as agreed between land owner One City Development, the Selangor government and two groups representing the temple would go ahead.

The application to postpone the relocation was filed by three individuals – S Thangarajoo, M Mohanakrishnan and S Nagarajah.

Nagarajah, who filed the suit last month, had previously failed to oust temple manager K Chellapa in a separate suit. Chellapa has said he is abiding by a consent judgment to relocate the temple.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/29/court-rejects-bid-to-postpone-temple-relocation/

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Khoo said Skrine is currently acting for the developer in civil proceedings involving possession of the land on which the temple is located but “we categorically state that we are not the lawyers referred to by the home minister.”

He said all steps taken by the legal firm as the solicitors for the developer have been and will continue to be strictly in accordance with the law.

Another law firm, Messrs Thomas Philip, said earlier that the company is no longer acting for One City Development in respect of the execution of a consent judgment involving the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.

The managing partner of the firm, Mathew Thomas Philip, said in a statement the company ceased to act for One City Development in 2015 when another firm of lawyers took over the matter.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/28/law-firm-skrine-denies-hiring-thugs-in-temple-fracas/

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28 November 2018

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SUBANG JAYA: Police have arrested several youngsters after they failed to abide by orders to disperse after they had gathered for several hours opposite the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Seafield, USJ.

The youths were arrested around 1am.

Hundreds of rowdy youngsters on motorcycles had arrived at the scene about 10.30pm and gathered across the temple.

At the temple, a few youths and devotees were keeping a watchful eye.

 

 

 

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/28/cops-detained-rowdy-youths-gathered-near-seafield-temple/

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PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has revealed that outsiders masterminded Monday’s riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

He said that based on preliminary information available, the riot was not started by locals.

“This is not about Malays versus Indians. This problem was caused by people who came from elsewhere. It’s not local people.  

“Outsiders were behind it,” he said after attending the 12th National Academic Awards ceremony in Putrajaya tonight.

In a statement earlier today, the prime minister had said the riot at the temple was criminal in nature and that its perpetrators would be dealt with severely according to the law.

On accusations that police were slow to act regarding the crisis, he said police did not act aggressively because they had to be extra careful in handling sensitive issues.

https://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/?p=145574

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https://twitter.com/Malaysia1news/status/1067578654048378880

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27 November 2018

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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.

https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/453674#.W_0vI5XpdZU.twitter

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PETALING JAYA: Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok today clarified that she is not related to the developer involved in the relocation of a Hindu temple in Subang Jaya, which has seen a scuffle and a heated protest in the past two days.

“Please stop dragging me into the fiasco of the Hindu temple in USJ. I am not related to the developer and I have nothing to do with the project,” Kok, who is also Seputeh MP, tweeted earlier this afternoon.

She posted a screenshot of a Facebook post which read: “The developer is Teresa Kok’s relative? That’s why our good ministers can’t open their mouth, especially our Kulasegaran?” referring to the human resources minister.

A second attachment, both of which have been edited with the words, “Palsu”, or false, in capital letters, shows Kok with two men, believed to be linked to One City, the developer who owns the land on which the temple sits.

Meanwhile, on Facebook, Kok asked why “irresponsible people” were dragging her into the “fiasco” surrounding the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple near the USJ exit of the Elite highway and USJ 16 and USJ 21.

The DAP leader pointed out that she was not an elected representative in Selangor, and reiterated she had nothing to do with the matter. She urged netizens not to continue defaming her as well.

https://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/?p=145522

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https://twitter.com/BernamaNewsCH/status/1067309035899121665

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https://twitter.com/gst183/status/1067334112015306757

At least three One City Development Bhd employees were among the 19 remanded over the first night of violent clashes at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya on Monday.

One City Development Bhd owns the land on which the Seafield temple sits. Attempts to relocate the temple led to clashes and rioting in the early hours of Monday.

The 19 were remanded at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court this afternoon.

Two of the employees are being represented by lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdullah, and another by lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali.

Haniff said his clients were remanded for two days, while Rafique said his client was remanded for four.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/453627#.W_z_7TUvz8U.twitter

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SUBANG JAYA: A member of the Subang Jaya Emergency Response System (EMRS) unit and Fire and Rescue station was seriously injured after being assaulted by rioters at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple at USJ25 here, at 1am today.

Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) this morning.

According to a Selangor Fire and Rescue Department spokesman, the victim suffered major internal injuries and bone fractures and is unconscious.

It is learnt that Muhammad Adib and fellow personnel had arrived at the scene to douse a car which had been torched by rioters when he was dragged out of his EMRS van and beaten up by a portion of the 2,000 people who had assembled at the temple.

Muhammad Adib was later rescued by several members of the public, who rushed him to the SJMC for treatment, the spokesman added.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/434907/rescuer-assaulted-subang-jaya-temple-rioters-critical-condition

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https://www.kinitv.com/video/67902O8

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SHAH ALAM: Police have so far detained 17 men to assist investigations into the violent clash between a group of thugs and devotees at Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Seafield Hindu temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya this morning.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said those arrested included the six men who were injured during the commotion.

He said police are looking for more people who were involved in the incident.

“Some of the men were detained at the scene. We also seized two swords, two sticks and a rubber hose.” he said, adding that a policeman was also injured while trying to separate the two groups.

“We have also identified the mastermind behind the incident and are looking for the person to facilitate our probe,” he said at a special press conference held at the Selangor police headquarters, here, tonight.

“Some of the men were detained at the scene. We also seized two swords, two sticks and a rubber hose” Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said. NSTP/ Faiz Anuar

Also present were his deputy Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, Federal Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd and Selangor police chief Datuk Mazlan Mansor.

Mohamad Fuzi said a thorough investigation is underway and police have at Press time received 29 reports on the incident.

https://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/?p=145461

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KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman expressed his disappointed over the unruly acts of some people who gathered near Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, early today.

Met near the One City building this morning, he said the group’s action of damaging a private property was “just too much”.

He pointed out that police did not take action on the 2,000-odd people who gathered near the temple because the force were trying to contain the situation.

“The police were trying to calm things down by giving them a chance but some in the group decided to go overboard,” he said.

Azis said people should give the police some room to investigate the scuffle incident early Monday morning instead of taking matters into their own hands.

“Investigation is still ongoing and we should never take matters into our own hands.” he said.

Earlier, around 2am, hundreds of people, who were part of the group that gathered near the temple since last night, marched toward the One City building and broke the glass door and windows.

They also damaged a Toyota Alphard which was parked nearby.

The police’s Public Order and Riot Unit later arrived and secured the building.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/434869/deputy-home-minister-decries-vandalism-private-property

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26 November 2018

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PETALING JAYA: One City Development Sdn Bhd has reiterated that it had nothing to do with the scuffle at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple this morning.

In a statement, One City said it was surprised by reports quoting Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim, that implied it was involved.

It cited news reports in which Noor Rashid said: “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.”

Noor Rashid, according to a Bernama report, had said this in commenting on the issue after an event in Kelantan.

“One City would like to seek further clarification on these remarks, given that we have always followed the rule of law and due process,” it said in reference to the relocation of the temple.

This, it said, was evident in both the lengthy court cases it went through and discussions it had with the relevant stakeholders.

It also said its allocation of land for a new site for the temple, giving a compensation of RM1.5 million, and delaying the relocation of the temple for rituals related to the relocation to be carried out was “further evidence” of its commitment to a peaceful resolution.

“Furthermore, pursuant to the 2014 consent judgment, we would have no reason to engage in this as the authorities are already bound by the court order to assist in the process with the ultimate goal of ensuring a peaceful relocation.

“We abhor the violence which took place this morning and would never even think of being involved in such acts.”

One City added that it hoped the authorities would share evidence linking it to the incident and that it was willing to assist the authorities in their investigations.

“In fact, One City’s senior management has already communicated with the police and fixed an appointment to assist the police in their investigation.”

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/26/we-have-no-reason-to-hire-mob-says-developer-in-temple-saga/

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The Star‏Verified account @staronline

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc7kX4xX8MM

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We were informed in the early hours this morning at about 2.30am, a large group of at least 50 persons armed with iron rods and parang forcibly entered the Seafield temple and attacked a group of devotees who had gathered there including women.

The ensuing violence resulted in a number of persons injured and hospitalised. A number of vehicles were also torched. It is learnt that during the violence, five devotees were held hostage for some time by the intruders.

The temple devotees finally managed to drive off the intruders, seizing identity cards from several of them.

The Subang Jaya police officers finally arrived on the scene following the violence and subsequently cordoned off the area.

Questions are being raised as to why only a single patrol car from the Subang Jaya police force arrived at the scene about 4.15am while the FRU only arrived at about 6am.

The Subang Jaya police have regrettably issued a statement saying that “pergaduhan antara dua kumpulan bangsa India telah berlaku di dalam kawasan Kuil Sri Mahamariaman …punca kejadian adalah perselisihan faham antara dua kumpulan adalah tentang isu perpindahan kuil..”

This statement is false and irresponsible. It has created much tension amongst the Indian community especially in the light of the late and ineffective response by the Subang Jaya police.

We call upon the IGP to ensure that a corrective statement is immediately issued to set the facts straight. The Subang Jaya police should be investigated and disciplinary action taken.

We condemn this unprovoked attack on the temple.

We call for a full and independent inquiry by the police to establish who is behind this serious attack on the temple and the motive for it. Those responsible for this violence must be caught and punished.

This investigation should be conducted by Bukit Aman and not left to the Subang Jaya police to handle.

YB M Kulasegaran
YB Xavier Jayakumar
YB Gobind Singh
YB P Waythamoorthy
YB Sivarasa Rasiah

26 November 2018

https://selangorjournal.my/2018/11/26/the-sri-maha-muthu-mariamman-seafield-temple/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy has appealed to all Malaysians to stay calm over the scuffle at a Hindu temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya early Monday (Nov 26).

He said that upon receiving various Facebook posts and video recordings on the incident at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, he contacted Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

“The minister has raised grave concern of the community on the affray which appears to be a threat to the breach of peace and peaceful co-existence of our multi-racial and multi-religious society as well as freedom of religion,” said a statement issued by the office of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

The statement said the Deputy IGP has promised that a thorough investigation would be conducted over the incident.

“It has come to the attention of the minister that some people were hurt and properties within the temple premises torched, which has led to emotional tension among the community. There are also various unverified accusations being viralled,” it said.

So far, the police have arrested seven men in their 30s over the incident which is said to have been sparked by a misunderstanding between two rival groups and resulted in 18 cars and two motorcycles torched. – Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/26/temple-scuffle-waytha-moorthy-appeals-for-calm-deputy-igp-promises-to-probe-incident/

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PETALING JAYA: Four Cabinet members have denounced the statement by the Subang Jaya police on the early morning scuffle at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple today as “false and irresponsible”.

In a joint statement, federal ministers M Kulasegaran, Xavier Jayakumar, Gobind Singh Deo, P Waytha Moorthy and deputy minister R Sivarasa said it was regrettable that the Subang Jaya police had described the incident as a fight between two Indian groups.

They also noted questions over why only a single patrol car from the police force arrived at the scene at 4.15am while the Federal Reserve Unit only arrived at 6am.

“This statement is false and irresponsible. It has created much tension among the Indian community, especially in light of the late and ineffective response by the Subang Jaya police.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/26/cabinet-members-slam-false-statement-by-subang-police-on-temple-scuffle/

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The group that attacked the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya held several temple committee members, including its chairperson, as hostages, alleged a spokesperson for the committee.

Elangovan Annamalai told Malaysiakini that some 200 people were involved in the incident. Police, however, estimated the number to be around 50.

“The incident happened at about 2.10am. The intruders entered the temple grounds and hurt the devotees who were spending the night there.

“They claimed that the land (belonged to the developer) and demanded that we leave.

“They held five committee members hostage, including our chairperson (who is only known as) Ramaji. They held a parang to his neck,” claimed Elangovan.

Malaysiakini has contacted the developer in question for comment.

The spokesperson alleged that the police only arrived at 4.30am and did not act until another group of devotees tried to chase out the intruders.

“We are disappointed (with the police). They were not fair. We have the video recordings to back our claim,” he said.

Elangovan also refuted suggestions that the fracas involved two Indian groups.

He said many of the intruders had dropped their personal possessions during the clash and he could, therefore, prove that the group was made up of other races.

Initially, the police claimed that the violence stemmed from a misunderstanding involving two groups. However, the police later identified who the assailants were.

Damage to the temple itself, according to the police, was minimal. The police said they also found weapons at the scene.

MKINI

https://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/?p=145382

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Press Statement by Member of Parliament for Klang Charles Santiago on 26 November 2018 at Parliament

*Temple clashes are heinous but not racial*

While I vehemently condemn the act, this is the time for us to use our wisdom to analyse the situation and to act rationally.

The pre-dawn clashes at the Seafield Maha Mariamman Temple is atrocious and horrifying.

The incident should not have happened in the first place as negotiations are still ongoing between various parties.

While I understand that emotions are running high, we really need to refrain from fashioning the clashes as a racial riot between the Indians and Malays.

We must wait for police investigations to be completed as there is a possibility that the thugs were hired by the developer. Even this remains only a hunch.

I commend the police for swiftly detaining seven men over the clashes. But there were close to 100 armed thugs that stormed the temple and attacked men and women using machetes and sticks.

Many have been injured and it’s been reported that two men are in hospital.

And scores of vehicles have been torched. This is alarming.

The police must therefore round up these thugs and charge everyone responsible for this heinous act in court for if left unchecked this incident has the propensity to create racial tension, especially coming at the heels of the ICERD debate.

I once again ask everyone to not speculate or blow the incident out of proportion.

It’s at times like this that we need to remain focused, respect each other and hold strong to our core values that make Malaysia peaceful and harmonious.

Charles Santiago
Member of Parliament Klang

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