KUALA LUMPUR – The fast action by the police to stem a fracas at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, USJ 25, Putra Heights which witnessed 17 men arrested in less than 24 hours, has eased tension in the community.
The police’s clarification that the commotion at the temple had nothing to do with racial disputes was a relief to the entire Malaysian plural society as it was actually due to the issue of the transfer of the temple to a new location in Putra Heights, located about three kilometers from the original temple site.
Following the incident, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun (pic) said 17 civilians had been detained to assist investigations over in the incident which occurred at 2.30 am resulting in 18 cars and two motorcycles around the temple area razed.
Of the 17 arrested, six of them were injured and a police corporal from the Subang Jaya District Police Headquarters was also hurt while attempting to break up the commotion.
“This is not a racial issue, I advise political leaders and certain parties to be more responsible and careful in making statements so as not to aggravate the situation,” Mohamad Fuzi told a press conference at the Selangor Police Contingent Headquarters yesterday night upon his arrival from Dubai.
Following the incident, 29 police reports had been lodged so far.
Subsequently, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged the public not to take any action, including issuing statements that could set fire to racial sentiments to the detriment of public order.
Following the incident too, four ministers and a deputy minister in a joint statement asked the police to conduct a full and independent investigation to identify the mastermind of the provocative actions that took place.
On Sept 28, a notice of evacuation was issued by the Shah Alam High Court which instructed the temple occupants to vacate the site on or before Oct 15.
However, on October 25, about 300 individuals who disagreed that the temple be moved gathered at the temple when the business of transfer was being conducted.
The individuals wanted the temple, allegedly built in 1891, to be rescued on the basis of religious and historical merits.
On October 31, Standing Committee on Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development and Concerned Government, chairman V. Ganabatirau said in the Consent Judgement dated March 11, 2014, the four parties involved agreed to relocate the temple and return the empty temple site to the landowner.
The four parties involved in the judgment were the State Government, the owner of the temple site, One City Development Sdn Bhd (One City) and two individuals claiming to be the temple administrators, K. Chellappa and M. Nagaraju.
Chellappa had filed a protest against One City’s efforts to take the site of the temple in 1996.
In the Consent Judgement, One City agreed to deposit RM1.5 million to the temple while the State Government gave about 0.4 ha (one acre) located about three kilometres from the temple’s original location for the building of a new temple.
— BERNAMA
