Azis says Seafield riots 'too much', thanks cops for 'controlling situation'
Deputy Home Minister Mohd Azis Jamman said the rioting in Seafield over a Hindu temple has gone too far.
Standing in front of the vandalised entrance of the MCT Tower in the One City complex, Azis said police will take action against rioters.
"This is too much. For whatever reason, you can't take the law into your own hands," he said...
Deputy Home Minister Mohd Azis Jamman said the rioting in Seafield over a Hindu temple has gone too far.
Standing in front of the vandalised entrance of the MCT Tower in the One City complex, Azis said police will take action against the rioters.
"This is too much. For whatever reason, you can't take the law into your own hands.
"This is proof," he said, taking a quick glance at the broken glass panes.
The MCT Tower is the office of One City Development Bhd, the owner of the land where the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple sits in USJ 25.
The rioting began in the wee hours of Monday, when devotees gathered to protect the temple after word spread that it would be demolished.
Some 1,000 devotees gathered again at the temple in the early hours of Tuesday, and torched the wreckages of at least two cars burnt the night before.
They also attacked a fire truck responding to the blazes.
Despite the violent behaviour, police and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers on site did not move in to contain the crowd.
At least 300 rioters then marched to the MCT Tower, a kilometre away from the temple, and attacked the building and several vehicles, again without any police intervention.
Despite standing in front of "proof" of the carnage, the deputy home minister thanked the police for "controlling the situation".
"I wish to congratulate the police, in this situation they still managed to control the situation," Azis said.
Asked why police had not acted as the violence occurred, Azis replied that police were given instruction "not to let violence happen".
"We ordered the police to monitor the situation, and ensure there is no violence.
"Police have been very accommodating in ensuring that no violence occurs. We are controlling the situation," he said.
He added that he did not want the police to be seen as taking sides - which he stressed they were not.
"They are controlling the situation. We don't want something like this to happen. Can you imagine if the police let them (rioters) do whatever they want to do?
"It is getting worse and worse, we can't take the risk," Azis said.
He said police have been ordered to take action and arrest those who caused damage to vehicles or cars.
Azis stressed that the situation needed to be contained before it spreads.
"If not, the other side will want to retaliate. If police let the situation drag on it will get worse and worse," he said.
Azis then called on leaders to "cool things down", stressing that the temple issue is not a matter of race or religion.
He said it was a land dispute between a company and the temple, which should be settled amicably.
The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple was supposed to have been relocated on Nov 22.
Plans to relocate the temple have been ongoing since 2007, after the land it is located on was purchased by One City.
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 three kilometres away.
One City had also donated RM1.5 million 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.
RELATED REPORTS
What led to the temple fracas – DIGP reveals details of initial probe
Umno Youth condemns temple clash, wants probe on 'hired thugs' claim
It was not a racial clash - temple priest calls for calm
We're watching – Cops warn bloggers, social media users over temple fracas
Developer denies instigating Seafield temple riot
Temple fracas: Ministers chide police's 'Indian vs Indian' claim
'Intruders held temple chairperson, four others at knifepoint'
MB: Don't make racist statements, stoke hatred over temple riot
S'gor police chief: Heated exchange ignited temple riot, other races involved
Seven men detained over Seafield temple chaos, several vehicles torched
Violence as devotees scuffle over relocation of Seafield temple
