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Temple scuffle: Waytha Moorthy appeals for calm, Deputy IGP promises to probe incident

NATION


Monday, 26 Nov 20183:05 PM MYT


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


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/26/temple-scuffle-waytha-moorthy-appeals-for-calm-deputy-igp-promises-to-probe-incident/#B2XDcKSg0cw0KZlK.99






KUALA LUMPUR: Several Pakatan Harapan leaders have called for the police to conduct a full and independent inquiry into Monday's scuffle between two rival groups over the relocation of the 100-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25.

The group, led by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P. Waytha Moorthy, comprises Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Deputy Rural Development Minister Sivarasa Rasiah, among others.


"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," said Waytha Moorthy during a press conference at Parliament on Monday (Nov 26).


"The investigation should be conducted by Bukit Aman (federal police headquarters) and not left to the Subang Jaya police to handle," he added.

Waytha Moorthy, who's in charge of the National Unity and Social Wellbeing portfolio, said the Subang Jaya police should be probed for not acting swiftly against the scuffle which took place at the temple at about 2am on Monday (Nov 26).

The Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf) leader claimed that only one patrol car from the Subang Jaya police station arrived at the scene at about 4.15am while the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) only arrived at about 6am.

"The Subang Jaya police should be investigated and disciplinary action taken. We condemn this unprovoked attack on the temple," he said.

Meanwhile, DAP's Klang MP Charles Santiago, in condemning the scuffle as atrocious and horrifying, has urged the public to stop labelling the fight as a racial riot.

Santiago commended the police for acting on the incident, claiming it had involved nearly 100 thugs armed with machetes and sticks.

"The police must therefore round up these thugs and charge everyone responsible for this heinous act in court for if left unchecked, the incident has the propensity to create racial tension, especially coming at the heels of the ICERD debate," he said, referring to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

"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," he added.

So far, seven men have been arrested in connection with the scuffle, which also saw 18 cars and two motorcycles burnt.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Mazlan Mansor, who had urged for the public to stop calling the incident a racial issue on social media, said that some 700 police personnel, including those from the FRU, were deployed to the scene of the incident.

The fight was believed to have happened following a scuffle between two rival groups over the relocation of the temple.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/26/pakatan-leaders-call-for-cops-to-conduct-independent-inquiry-into-temple-scuffle/#kTLpPXAbbXiZekTw.99