Zuraida: Attack on firemen should never have happened

KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (pic) has slammed the attack on firemen at the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple early Tuesday (Nov 27) morning.

She expressed shock at the attack, which ended up with a fireman requiring treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a hospital at Subang Jaya.

Describing the attack as unreasonable, Zuraida said that the attack against a uniformed officer should never have happened.

"They were civil servants in uniform. There has to be a level of respect maintained," she said.

Zuraida pointed out that in the spirit of the new Malaysia, the people and civil society must adhere to the rule of law and the Federal Constitution.

"They can't just do as they please … Enforcement must also be done more diplomatically," she added.

On Tuesday morning, firemen were at the vicinity of the temple to extinguish a burning car, which had been torched by angry protestors.

However, the victim was dragged out of his Emergency Response System (EMRS) van shortly after arriving at the scene and was beaten up by an angry mob.

He suffered internal injuries and bone fractures.

However, contrary to various reports, Zuraida claimed that the firemen was not too badly injured.

"The treatment isn't very critical. But he must be stitched up," she added.

The pandemonium at the temple begun on Monday (Nov 26) morning, following a scuffle between two groups over the relocation of the temple from USJ25 to USJ23.

Zuraida said the matter was a long-standing dispute that should have been resolved earlier by the relevant stakeholders.

"I hope the police will conduct a detailed investigation and take action over the matter," she said.

Zuraida said that the Fire and Rescue Department would not stop carrying out its duties, despite the attack.