Salak South temple chairman apologises for followers’ standoff with police, issue resolved amicably

Dr Mah (left) meeting Yap (middle) and his son over the land misunderstanding on Saturday.

PETALING JAYA: The misunderstanding over a land claim involving a temple in Salak South, Kuala Lumpur, has been resolved amicably.

The Wong Low Shen See Chee How Temple chairman Yap Chee Fong had issued an apology on Saturday (Oct 2), after its followers got involved in a standoff with the police on Tuesday (Sept 28).

"The temple expresses its deepest apologies to the enforcement officers and public over the confusion and controversies from the incident.

"The temple accepts all legal responsibility for the incident and will give full cooperation to the authorities in the investigation.

"We are committed to working together with the government and the Education Ministry in the upcoming operation, including returning the key of the fence to the Land and Mines Office and the ministry for them to conduct the relevant construction works," said Yap while reading out a statement on Saturday.

On Tuesday, a standoff took place between temple supporters and the police following a disagreement over a lane that was due to be built near the temple.

So far, 24 people have been arrested and are being investigated for rioting with weapons.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who met Yap and the latter’s son on Saturday, said he was glad that the matter has been "amicably resolved."

"I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the temple chairman for his apology and explanation on the conflict and that the incident was not related to religion and racism.

"I call on all parties to examine this incident thoroughly and rationally for the sake of common well-being.

"I would also like to thank the temple that promised to be committed and will hand over the keys and return the land to the Land Office and the ministry to facilitate further work," he said.

Dr Mah noted that a meeting was held between his ministry, the Land and Mines Office, the local authorities, as well as other relevant parties over the construction of a new secondary school on a school reserve land behind the temple.

He said the school was to meet the needs of local residents as 7,000 units of people’s housing (PPR) will be built nearby.

"The planning has started in 2017," he said, adding that following studies, the school reserve land was found to be the most strategic location to build the new secondary school.

Dr Mah noted that the incident had gone viral on social media over the past few days and had sparked polemic and provocation, where it even deviated from the real facts.

"We must stay away from triggering issues that will cause annoyance and threaten public order," he added.