THE government urged police to curb violence and mob rule at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple after another night of violence early today in the area.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy said the government will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from groups claiming to safeguard the temple.

“I also urge the temple management committee to manage the crowd which turns up at the temple as it is their responsibility to safeguard devotees who (are urged to come) to the temple,” he said in a statement today.

This morning, a group of men vandalised the MCT Tower in Subang Jaya, Selangor, where the One City Development office is located. 

One City Development is embroiled in a legal tussle with the 147-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya.

The group shattered the glass doors on the ground floor. Police and the Federal Reserve Unit prevented the group from causing further damage.

Since the start of the tussle yesterday, police have rounded up 21 suspects allegedly involved in the temple attack.

Selangor police chief Mazlan Mansor said 19 people were arrested yesterday and the another two this morning.

“The two were arrested in the vicinity of the temple. We also found a parang in a car,” he said at a press conference in Shah Alam. 

Waytha Moorthy said the attack against the One City Mall last night was uncalled for, unwarranted and can be termed as a provocative act with the aim of disrupting peace and stability enjoyed by Malaysians at large.

He said a fireman was injured in a scuffle with a group of people outside the temple last night.

Waytha Moorthy said the fireman, now in a hospital, was pulled out of the fire truck and beaten by a group of men when they tried to rescue a car set ablaze.

“This attack against firemen is despicable as they were merely doing their job to ensure the safety of the people in the vicinity of the temple,” he said.

Waytha Moorthy said Indians should exercise calm and keep a cool head while addressing the issue. – November 27, 2018.