Hindu temple devotees to stay put despite pre-dawn attack

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 5 years ago · Published on 26 Nov 2018 12:08PM · 3 Comments

Burned cars at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya, this morning. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 26, 2018.

DEVOTEES of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya, said they will not be cowed and will stand their ground following this morning’s attack on the temple grounds that left several people injured and more than 10 cars set ablaze.

Temple priest S. Jayakumar said that they will not vacate the temple and wanted the state government to step in to solve the issue. 

“We are not going to leave this temple and we don’t want any more Hindu temples to be demolished. 

“We voted for the new government and we want them to help us solve the issue.

“Why is this happening to the minority (group)?” he told reporters today. 

He said the temple management would lodge a police report on the incident, for which he blames developers who own the temple land, soon.

He said more 150 people stormed the temple grounds at 2.15am with weapons. 

Temple priest S. Jayakumar says the masked men demanded everybody get out when they stormed the temple this morning. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 26, 2018.

“There were more than 100 devotees at the temple when the incident occurred. 

“We just finished prayers when people with masks started shouting at us to vacate the temple,” Jayakumar said.

He said that the men who stormed the temple said the area belonged to the developers, before demanding the devotees “keluar”(get out).

More than 100 police personnel were deployed to the 147-year-old temple. Fire and Rescue Department officers were also at the scene to check on the burnt vehicles.

Jayakumar said in the incident, devotees were chased and some of the masked men held knives to their necks.

“They kept us in the temple until 5am. It was then that the police arrived and they started to run away.

“We chased them and few of them dropped their belongings. We also found a bag with several identification cards.

“All the items will be handed to the police.”

Save Seafield temple chairman Ramaji, meanwhile, said that the temple had received an order from the developer to vacate the land.

Save Seafield temple chairman Ramaji says that the temple's landowner received an order for them to vacate the land. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 26, 2018.

“We are challenging the order on Thursday.

“Why are they attacking us when the issue has been brought to court?”

Ramaji said that they would not move, despite being given an alternative site for the temple.

“We want to remain here. The land was given to us in 1897. But there are no documents (to support this).

“This is our temple and we shouldn’t have to move.” – November 26, 2018.

A damaged vehicle at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 26, 2018.

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Comments

  • This lawlessness is pure rubbish. It requires full force of police response.

    Posted 5 years ago by Roti Paun · Reply

  • Driven to brute violence by desperation, loss of special privileges is no excuse to eun amok. This is the 21st century, not the 18th or 19th!

    Posted 5 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • If no proper action taken the PH Govt is going to face continuing unlawful actions.Nip it at the bud.

    Posted 5 years ago by Padmanathan Maniam · Reply