Those involved in temple clash will face stern action, warns Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: Criminals and “puppet masters” (dalang) involved in the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riots will not escape punishment, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a statement yesterday.

“The criminals who tried to create disturbances and injured security and rescue personnel, as well as destroying public property will face stern action according to existing laws.

“If there are puppet masters behind this incident, they too will not escape the punishment.”

Dr Mahathir said he had been following the development of the temple riots since Monday and being updated on its status by the police from time to time.

“It’s clear from initial investigations, the incidents contained criminal elements which resulted in property damage and injuries to police personnel.

“There are no racial or religious issues, although it is connected to the temple’s relocation,” Dr Mahathir said.

He said the police have been ordered to take further action to manage and control the situation with all speed.

Dr Mahathir said the government regretted the irresponsible actions of the criminals who had disturbed the temple grounds and injured both security and rescue personnel.

“Once more, I stress that this incident was a criminal one, and not connected at all to other elements,” the Prime Minister said.

The temple was supposed to have been relocated on Nov 22, and plans to do so have been going on since 2007 after the land the temple was located on was purchased by One City Development Sdn Bhd.

In 2014, a consent judgment was entered into in court, where One City and two rival camps vying for control of the temple agreed to relocate it to a plot of land 3km away.

One City had also donated RM1.5mil to the temple as part of the settlement agreement.

However, devotees have continued to resist efforts to relocate the temple, which was built in 1891.