Violence erupts over relocation of Seafield temple (updated)

PETALING JAYA: Violence erupted early Monday (Nov 26) over the relocation of a temple in Seafield here leading to several vehicles being set on fire.

It was believed to have happened following a scuffle between two rival groups over the relocation of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ25 to another site in USJ23.

Videos of the scuffle have gone viral, showing people cheering as they watch a vehicle set on fire.

In another video, a car was flipped upside down and the Fire and Rescue Department was seen on the scene.

A Selangor Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said several vehicles were set ablaze during the 2am protest.

It is learnt that Federal Reserved Unit (FRU) personnel are deployed to ensure the situation does not worsen.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Mazlan Mansor said he was going there to oversee the situation.

"Police personnel are already at the site to maintain order and the safety of the public.

"I am also going there to see the situation for myself," he said when contacted.

It was reported that Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple taskforce leader S. Ramaji said they want Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to intervene and save the temple from being relocated.

Ramaji claimed that the taskforce and temple devotees suspected foul play in the relocation due to contradicting facts from a consent judgment and press statements.

He also alleged that the consent judgment had been breached.

Ramaji also claimed that the existing land was supposed to be allocated to the temple by former state exco members in 1987 but is unsure how the decision had been revoked.