Developer's lawyer hired Malay thugs, says home minister

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 28 Nov 2018 1:31PM · 12 Comments

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says RM150,000 was paid to a group of 50 men to storm the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 28, 2018.

A LAWYER linked to developer, One City Development Sdn Bhd, hired Malay thugs to “secure” the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple before work to demolish the 147-year-old place of worship was to have taken place on Monday, said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Initial police investigations revealed that the lawyer paid the leader of a Malay group RM150,000 to storm, take over and guard the temple before officials from the developer’s company turned up later, accompanied by the police.

“Some 50 people were hired to do this. Each were paid between RM150 and RM300,” Muhyiddin said today.

When the thugs stormed the temple and tried to take over the place of worship, it angered the devotees present and this led to the ensuing fracas and damage to property.

Muhyiddin said the action was similar to hiring Indian thugs to take over and control a mosque, which is bound to create anger among Muslims.

“This is not a racial issue. The way the lawyer carried this out was wrong.

“I regret this hasty and careless action by the party linked to the developer which is clearly against the law. If this action had not been taken, I believe the fight between the Malay thugs and the Hindus would not have happened,” he said at a press conference today.

Police have arrested 21 men in relation to the attack and rioting at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple over the last two days. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 27, 2018.

Since the incident, police have detained 21 people to assist in investigation.

Muhyiddin said investigations were still ongoing to determine who were the other individuals involved in the rioting in the vicinity of the temple yesterday.

The minister said the rioting on the second day left a firemen fighting for his life and damage to public and private property.

Inspector-General of Police Fuzi Harun said two lawyers working on behalf of One City Development Sdn Bhd have been detained.

Yesterday, One City Development denied any involvement in the attack on the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

In a statement, the developer said it “shares the shock of the nation” regarding the Monday morning incident. 

“However, One City wishes to reiterate that it had nothing to do with the early morning scuffle,” it said, adding that it was “surprised” over reports quoting Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim implying the developer was involved. 

Muhyiddin called on the parties involved in the fight over the temple relocation to settle the issue and within the provisions of the law.

Muhyiddin said based on police investigation this incident was because of a dispute between One City Development Sdn Bhd and the temple committee over the ownership of the land the temple is located on.

He said the Shah Alam High Court had ruled on March 11, 2014,  that the temple be relocated to a new site which will be provided by One City and the land returned to the developer.

However, this consent judgment could not be implemented as there were temple devotees who disputed the court decision.

Muhyiddin said based on police investigation there are two groups at the temple, one willing to relocate while the other did not want to move.

He said after several rounds of discussion with the committee, the developer decided to implement the court decision and take possession of  the land.

“Several attempts were made by the developer but each attempt failed following protest from the devotees and chaos at the site of the temple,” he said. – November 28, 2018.

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Comments

  • Publicly shame the bas*ard, set the wheels in motion to quickly disbar him and a speedy trial for a criminal conviction and imprisonment.

    Posted 5 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

    • As the relocation of the temple matter is still before the courts until tomorrow (Thursday 29th), can the affray above be described as being "subjudice"? (=haram?)..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • If "subjudice" who can have a cause of action against these wrongdoers? And mete out appropriate punishment? The AG and/or the courts?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • If "subjudice" who can have a cause of action against these wrongdoers? And mete out appropriate punishment? The AG and/or the courts?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • The lawyer firm partners and developer owners are not fit to be part of multiracial society. Their license and their citizenship shd b cancelled and these rascals shd b deported for good. So cheap mentality and character.

    Posted 5 years ago by Maniraju Maruthai · Reply

  • Pls disclose the Lawyer 's Name & Firm So malaysians can be AWARE of tis lawyer 's Attitude n Intentions. This RASCAL has caused UNREST in the Country . Almost iniciated may 13 PH govt pls put tis lawyer behind bars n CANCEL HIS LICENSE TO PRACTICE LAW as He Does Not Know What RULE OF LAW means

    Posted 5 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • They should be severely punished. A life was nearly lost and a country nearly destroyed.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • You mean, the lawyers did this without instructions??

    I mean, which right thinking lawyer would act without his clients' instruction? That is one dumb lawyer, willing to lose his livelihood, on account of his client's interest.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Aiyoo yoo !!! So fast the developer has asked the lawyer to be the fall guy!!!!. Both are partners in crime. Where in sanity of mind do you think the lawyer will fork out RM150k to pay off the rabble rouser. Do not need a rocket scientist to work out on that. Seems that the developer is from the same kinship from Johore who are involve in the saga of accquring honorifics and titles for their own parasitic friends. Dig further and the connecting dots will expose and reveal more to the coming rally party.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • The press must also contact the lawyer, developer etc. immediately and get a statement from them. This is in conformity with the 'right of reply' rule of journalism. I am disappointed in this article from TMI, which is not much more than a rehashed press release. Other news portals specialise in this kind of copy-paste journalism without investigation on the ground, but TMI is usually better. I hope that TMI will maintain their high standards and not stoop to the level of copy-pasting.

    Further, if the allegations are true both the developer, the lawyer and the thugs must be charged in court so that the truth can be known by all. Malaysians must not be satisfied with a possible smokescreen explanation. We have had too many of these already wrt MH370, Memali, Baling, Projek IC, Double Six, the Sabah Riots and many other incidents which have still not been clarified. The rakyat deserve the truth and should demand it.Otherwise those with political interests can just invent any story they want which suits their purposes and ambitions.

    Posted 5 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • Malaysia has a long history of 'mobs for hire'. (https://www.newmandala.org/author/sophie-lemiere/) Not only this incident but also previous incidents and the whole chain of command and ecosystem of gangster politics must be investigated. Whether or not this happens may be an indication of the implication (past or present) of present leaders in this system of 'connivance militancy'. The rakyat should remain vigilant and demand the truth.

    Posted 5 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • Rule of Law to me means respect for the consent judgement and it should be implemented. All these places of worship were allowed and established to benefit workers in the estates just like we find small suraus or Muslim prayers rooms in many buildings and offices. Please be careful with precedence and examples we set/.

    Posted 5 years ago by Shaikh karim · Reply