Huge but peaceful crowds around USJ temple, traffic choked

Part of the crowd gathered around the USJ temple. - Photo: Dubuchiku x2 Exclusive

SUBANG JAYA: Huge crowds have gathered in and around the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ, Subang Jaya.

The crowds, who are mostly Malaysian Indians, have congregated  in support of the temple. 

The situation so far remains peaceful with the police keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

A huge traffic jam has developed around the area, with traffic reduced to a crawl. 

The road leading to the temple itself has been blocked off by the police and by crowds of temple supporters.

A Facebook post at 2307hrs (11.07pm) from Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS says the traffic jam is horrible (teruk) on the LDP highway from Puchong heading to the Hicom/USJ toll plaza.

The post added, "Groups of people gathering in front of the Maha Mariamman temple USJ 25. Please use alternative routes to avoid jams." 

 

The Star interviewed a person who wished to be known only as Hemala from the group called Dubuchiku x2 Exclusive, which has been posting several videos of the crowds there.

"I was at the temple at around 6pm. At that time there were around 150 people there," said Hemala.

"Within a few hours, I  think almost 2,000 people had gathered. 

"The situation is so far, so good. As Tamilians, we are all going to make police reports at IPD Subang. We want to ask the police to give protection to our temple."

He added that the police are not allowing people to enter the actual temple area.
 
This is a video of the situation around the temple posted by the group.

 

 

One of the supporters, who wished to remain anonymous, said that he had been here since 9pm. 

“I came to see for myself what’s going on. So far nothing violent has happened but there are a lot of people who are blocking the road,” he said.

He added he was sad at the misinformation that’s been out online.

Another supporter, who wished to only be known as Ram, said that he was sad at how some had involved innocent parties into the incident.

“I pity the people whose cars were parked there (which were burnt) that had nothing to do with this. 

"It’s a shame some would just destroy things. We are a community, not barbarians,” he said.

By midnight, the crowds had begun to thin out noticeably.