DEVOTEES at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple have cautiously welcomed news that the Selangor government is in the process of reclaiming the land on where the temple sits and handing it over to the committee.
Sources told The Malaysian Insight that following the outbreak of violence at the temple on Monday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had instructed that the state government take over the land and give it to the temple.
Most of the devotees said the news, if confirmed, would be the long-awaited end to their long battle with the developer that had bought the land from the previous government.
However, many expressed scepticism that the plan would come to pass, with some criticising the government for waiting until chaos and violence broke out before taking action.
On Monday morning, a group of about 50 masked men attacked the temple, leading to clashes that left the property damaged and scores of people injured, including a fireman who is now in critical condition.
Periasamy Thiagaraj, a victim of the attack on Monday, said the Selangor government should have acted earlier on the land dispute rather than wait for such an incident to happen.
“It shouldn’t have come to this. As they kept delaying, this issue took a turn for the worse. Luckily, no lives were lost,” said the 41-year-old.
Periasamy, who received 10 stitches on the head after he was hit during the attack, hopes that the matter is the last of its kind.
“Let such an issue be the first and last. In the future, if there are similar issues, I hope the relevant authorities handle them swiftly.”
The dispute between the temple and One City Development Sdn Bhd, which bought the land where the temple is located in 2007, has dragged on for years.
Recently, a court ordered the eviction and relocation of the temple, but one of the temple’s two groups refused to leave.
Save Seafield Task Force chairman S. Ramaji said news of the state government taking over the land is good, but refused to speculate until an official statement is issued.
“I’m happy. It’s good news, but until we get an official letter from the state government, we can’t confirm anything.
“I hope they gazette the place and give it to temple authorities.”
Sources said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy and Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran met Dr Mahathir after they visited the temple following the violence.
“The prime minister wanted to know what was happening. After he was briefed, he told the ministers to address the people’s concerns as soon as possible.”
Save Seafield Task Force member Andy Sengiah said although there has yet to be an official statement on the land’s status, the news regarding the state government’s move comes as a relief to devotees after years of battle.
The 53-year-old said the temple chaos might be the reason why Selangor came to such a rapid, but prudent, decision.
“I think the recent issue, which became very serious, was the reason behind the authorities’ decision to conclude the land matter. Otherwise, it might have dragged on longer.”
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday said lawyers linked to One City Development had hired Malay thugs to “secure” the temple before it was demolished, with work initially scheduled for that same day.
Law firm Skrine, which acts for One City Development, has denied that its lawyers paid thugs to storm the temple. – November 29, 2018.
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nor frequent the temple.
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