Developer again denies hiring thugs in temple attack

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 28 Nov 2018 5:46PM · 4 Comments

Policemen look over debris at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor yesterday. They have arrested 28 suspects linked to the case, including the two lawyers. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 28, 2018.

THE developer in the centre of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple issue has denied hiring or authorising the hiring of thugs who went on a riot at the place of worship on Monday morning.

The denial from One City Development Sdn Bhd came hours after Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that police investigations revealed that the Malay thugs who rioted at the temple were hired by lawyers linked to the developer.

Muhyiddin had said that initial investigations revealed that the lawyers 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 to carry out the relocation process.

“One City Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MCT BHD, categorically denies hiring or authorising the hiring of ‘thugs’ to initiate the riot in the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, as mentioned in recent news reports,” the statement from the developer read.

“The personnel onsite were directed to provide logistical support and assist in the orderly relocation under police watch.

“It continues to cooperate with the police authorities in the investigation of the incident.”

This is the second statement issued by One City denying any role in the temple attack.

The first statement was released yesterday, and added that it “shares the shock of the nation”.

In the incident, a group of about 50 masked men, some armed with machetes and iron rods, stormed the temple about 2am on Monday.

A clash broke out between the attackers and the devotees who were protecting the temple, leaving several injured.

More than 20 vehicles and motorcycles were torched and damaged in two days of unrest at the temple grounds. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 28, 2018.

More than 20 vehicles and motorcycles were also torched and damaged in two days of unrest at the temple grounds.

In a press conference earlier today, Muhyiddin also questioned how the lawyers could afford to pay the Malay thugs RM150,000, adding the authorities have assumed a link between the lawyers and developers involved in the case.

To date, police have arrested 28 suspects linked to the case, including the two lawyers. – November 28, 2018.

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Comments

  • They came at 230 am in the morning, armed with machetes and iron rods to help with the move? Tell us another grandmothers tale.

    Advice to the developer: When you are in a hole, just stop digging. Otherwise, you might just end up sounding like Najib.

    Posted 7 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • The developer has lost the plot and lost the land. Next they will lose their licence and company.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • Is the developer's lawyer planning to charge the RM150,000 "temple relocation assistance" fees back to One City Development?

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Do forensics investigations on the money trail..

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply