AGC will work closely with police on temple ruckus

Attorney General Tommy Thomas. – AP

PETALING JAYA: The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will be working closely with the police in the coming days to bring the full force of the law against those implicated in the disturbance of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25.

Attorney General Tommy Thomas (pic) said that they understood the urgency in dealing with situations where law and order are threatened.

He said the Chambers has been briefed by the top-level management of the police on their on-going investigations into the incident.

“In view of the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, I have directed that the file is handled at headquarters level under the purview of the Head of Prosecution Division, who will keep me informed,” Thomas said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 29).

He said that they considered the incidents with utmost gravity, as they have caused much alarm among the public and that the brutal attack on firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim was particularly appalling.

Thomas said that separately, he noted that the underlying dispute stems from a consent order recorded in court in civil proceedings.

“I shall be happy to meet the lawyers representing all the parties to resolve their dispute,” he said.

A group who had congregated at the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple turned rowdy when they smashed glass panels at the One City Mall early Tuesday (Nov 27).

Prior to that, about 100 people gathered at the temple in USJ25, some with their faces covered and wearing high-visibility vests, and stormed the temple gates in an incident that led to several people being hurt and 18 vehicles set ablaze.

Police have arrested more than 20 people in connection with the incidents.