Subang Hindu temple to remain until solution found, Pakatan leaders say
Published 56 minutes ago on 27 November 2018
By Yiswaree Palansamy
Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran (third from right) and senator P. Waytha Moorthy (centre) is pictured at the Sri Maha Mariammam Devasthanam temple in USJ 25 November 27, 2018. — Picture by Shafwan ZaidonSUBANG JAYA, Nov 27 ― Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders today assured that the 147-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple in USJ 25 here will stay put until a solution can be found with regards to its land dispute with One City Development Sdn Bhd.
In a joint press conference, Selangor state executive council member V. Ganabatirau, Human Resource Minister M. Kulasegaran and Unity and Social Wellbeing Minister P. Waytha Moorthy assured temple devotees and its members that the Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also promised to look into the matter.
“This morning, I have conducted a meeting with Prime Minister, and he has expressed his worries over the issue. As I’ve stated before, I will bring forward the grouses of the people to the attention of the Prime Minister.
“They want this temple to be maintained here. So this matter must be discussed at the highest level and also must be discussed with Selangor state government, and the Prime Minister also has given his word to me that he will discuss with the Selangor menteri besar to settle this problem.
“Going forward, on the part of the government, and I also believe the state government, this temple will not be abolished until a solution is found,” Waytha Moorthy said, to cheers and applause by onlookers and temple supporters.
Waytha Moorthy said that he would also be meeting with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, to seek the easiest solution to the problem.
PM: Criminals and puppet masters behind temple riots will not escape
NATION
Tuesday, 27 Nov 20186:18 PM MYT
PETALING JAYA: Preliminary investigations into the Sri Maha Mariamman temple riots indicate the presence of criminal elements, says the Prime Minister, pledging that they would be brought to justice.
“The criminals who tried to create disturbances and injured our security and rescue personnel, as well as damaged public property, will face stern action according to the law.
“And if there are puppet masters behind these incidents, they too will not escape from receiving appropriate punishment,” said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a statement issued from his office on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister added that he had been following the developments of the temple riots since Monday, and said there was no racial or religious issue involved, although the protests were related to the temple’s relocation from USJ25 to USJ23 in Subang Jaya.
“As they (the riots) are criminally-related, the police have been ordered to take further action to handle and control the situation as soon as possible.
“The government also regrets the irresponsible actions of criminals who have caused chaos in the temple area, and injured security and rescue personnel," said Dr Mahathir.
A scuffle broke out between two rival groups at the temple early Monday.
The incident is believed to have been sparked by the fracas between two opposing groups over the relocation of the temple.
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.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/27/pm-criminals-and-puppet-masters-behind-temple-riots-will-not-escape/#VxZxF4LLWb4VtAD3.99
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.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/27/waytha-kula-berated-during-temple-visit/#KgwQOFjz0UZGhAUl.99
