POLICE had to refrain from using water cannon on rioters outside the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple as it is a place of worship, said Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

The IGP said because the rioters were close to a place of worship, the police were forced to exercise caution in dealing with the mob.

“We cannot use water cannon at a place of worship. If we do that, we will be attacked. We acted accordingly in the situation.

“We would have invited retaliation and what not if we tried to break up the mob using the water cannon. We must act according to the situation at hand,” he said today after visiting a fireman who was attacked during the riot this morning.

Fuzi said the police had been thrust into difficult situations over the past two days.

“If we had used force, we would be blamed. If we helped, we would have been blamed as well,” he said.

Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, now on life support, was attacked by the mob outside the temple. 

Fuzi said Adib was still in critical condition. 

“Adib was attacked while on duty. I met the doctors. He is in critical condition,” Fuzi said. 

He said that police had detained 21 people involved in the temple fracas and would likely make more arrests. 

“As of 1pm today, 21 people were arrested in the Klang Valley. 

“We hope others can help identify those responsible for the incident,” he said. – November 27, 2018.