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Hindu temple clash criminal, not racial, says PM Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR — The violent riots at a Hindu temple in Selangor over the past two days that caused injuries and property damage had nothing to do with race or religion, but was a criminal matter, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday (Nov 27).

A general view of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Selangor.

A general view of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Selangor.

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KUALA LUMPUR — The violent riots at a Hindu temple in Selangor over the past two days that caused injuries and property damage had nothing to do with race or religion, but was a criminal matter, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday (Nov 27).

He warned the public to pay no heed to news alleging that racial riots had broken out in the area, and instead said stern action will be taken against the criminals involved and any masterminds of the unrest over the past 48 hours.

“The police have briefed me and it is clear criminal elements were involved. But these were not racial riots, although it involved the relocation of a temple,” he said in a statement.

“Once again I stress that this incident is a criminal incident and has no relation at all to other elements.”

Early Monday, a clash at the 147-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple between two groups saw several people injured and 18 vehicles set ablaze.

The fight was believed to have been about the relocation of the temple.

Some 2,000 devotees turned up early Tuesday at the premise, as a show of support for the temple committee fighting to save it from being relocated to make way for development.

Tempers soon flared and the assembly became chaotic with acts of vandalism committed.  

To date, the police have detained 21 men for allegedly being involved in two violent clashes.

In a bid to cool tensions, Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders assured that the temple will stay put until a solution can be found with regards to its land dispute with the developer, One City Development Sdn Bhd.

In a joint press conference, Selangor state executive council member V Ganabatirau, Human Resource Minister M Kulasegaran and Unity and Social Wellbeing Minister P Waytha Moorthy assured temple devotees and its members that Dr Mahathir had also promised to look into the matter.

“This morning, I have conducted a meeting with Prime Minister, and he has expressed his worries over the issue. As I’ve stated before, I will bring forward the grouses of the people to the attention of the Prime Minister.

“They want this temple to be maintained here. So this matter must be discussed at the highest level and also must be discussed with Selangor state government, and the Prime Minister also has given his word to me that he will discuss with the Selangor Chief Minister to settle this problem.

“Going forward, on the part of the government, and I also believe the state government, this temple will not be abolished until a solution is found,” Mr Waytha Moorthy said, to cheers and applause by onlookers and temple supporters.

Mr Waytha Moorthy said that he would also be meeting with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, to seek the easiest solution to the problem. AGENCIES

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