Temple attack mastermind will be brought to book, says Dr Mahathir

Christopher Rabin Christopher Rabin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 28 Nov 2018 6:35PM · 2 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad visits fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim at the National Heart Institute in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur today. - The Malaysian Insight pic, November 28, 2018.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad condemned those behind the group of Malay thugs who forcibly occupied the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya on Monday.

He suggested that the foreign owner of a firm involved in the dispute with temple had a poor understanding of local culture.

“They did not think it through when they asked Malays to take charge of the Hindu temple. These were foreigners. They do not understand Malaysian practices or culture,” he said

Though he did not specifically name the company, the prime minister is believed to be referring to Philippines-based Ayala Corporation, which is the majority owner MCT Bhd.

The MCT BHD in turn owns One City Development Sdn Bhd, the legal owner of the land where the temple is located.

Dr Mahathir also felt the lawyers who allegedly paid the leader of the thugs RM150,000 to take over the temple before the authorities arrived to demolish it on Monday morning should be brought to book

“If we find out who did this, the lawyers or the attorney-general will have to find some case against him,” he told the media at the National Heart Institute after visiting a fireman who was injured outside the temple yesterday during a riot.

Dr Mahathir says the group of thugs who attacked the Sri Maha Mariamman temple included permanent residency holders, who had no understanding of local culture. - The Malaysian Insight pic, November 28, 2018.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had said during a press conference today that the thugs were hired by lawyers linked to One City Development Sdn Bhd.

The prime minister also said the temple devotees should not have taken the law into their own hands.

“It was said that the developer had sent people to the temple. When the Indian devotees saw Malays coming inside, they acted against them.

“The devotees should have called the police and reported the intruders in their temple, but they did not.

“They took matters into their own hands, resulting in trouble,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said the attack on the fireman, Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, was attempted murder.

He said Adib would have been dead if not for the doctors and life support machines.

“The damage was such that if it had been a little bit more (force), he would be dead. If he’s dead, the charge will be for murder,” said Dr Mahathir. – November 28, 2018.

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Comments

  • PM, a lot of information are coming in as at now. Maybe you should get the facts before blaming anyone. Pl get the briefing from police, fire brigade and home minister first.
    Looks like the fire man was run over by fire truck and the Malay thugs were assaulted on their way out .

    Posted 7 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply

  • Dr M, if the perpetrators are foreigners - institute criminal charges, revoke their permanent resident status and deport them immediately.
    The gangsters - file criminal charges against all 28 or more of them.
    The rogue lawyers- file criminal charges, revoke their licenses so that they cant practice law forever.
    One City - file criminal charges, revoke their developers license. Blacklist all the Directors of the company. They cant plead ignorance!
    MCT/Ayala Group can form a new company to do development in Malaysia - thats their business but all future development by the foreign company must be closely monitored.
    Lesson learnt, monitor the progress and performance of all foreign companies in Malaysia whether they are from 1st or 3rd world countries. The first thing they should learn is the Rukun Negara, before anything!!

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply