WHILE the relocation of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple has been put off and peace returns to the area, police have been working overtime to bring in the suspects involved in the two days of riots which caused unease among Malaysians.

Early this morning, police rounded up another six individuals, bringing the total number of arrests now to 48.

Selangor police chief Mazlan Mansor told The Malaysian Insight as of 8am today, another six were detained.

He, however, declined to elaborate as investigations are still underway.

Early on Monday morning, a group of 50 masked men, some armed with machetes and iron rods, stormed the temple in Subang Jaya following a dispute between the temple authorities and the developer, One City Development Sdn Bhd.

The developer had obtained a consent judgment from the court to relocate the temple to Putra Heights, some 2.7km away, but the devotees had refused to budge.

Scores of people were injured in two days of rioting with more than 20 vehicles damaged and torched. A group had also vandalised a building housing the office of the developer in Subang Jaya. A fireman was also allegedly injured by the rioters and has been warded in hospital.

Calling what happened at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple “appalling”, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas had said his Chambers would be working closely with police to “bring the full force of the criminal law” against everyone implicated, regardless of status.

Thomas also said in view of the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, he had directed that the file on the matter be handled at headquarters level, under the purview of Prosecution Division head Manoj Kurup.

“This Chambers considers the recent violent incidents outside the (temple) with utmost gravity. They have caused much alarm among the public. Particularly appalling was the brutal attack on a firefighter who was performing his duties.

“Chambers has been briefed by the top level management of the Royal Malaysian Police on their on-going investigations. Chambers will be working closely with the Royal Malaysian Police in the coming days to bring the full force of the criminal law against everyone implicated in the disturbance,” Thomas had said in a statement.

The temple has now obtained an interim injunction until the disposal of the application for proper injunction in January 11 next year.

On the alternate site offered by the developer to Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Putra Heights, a small structure has been built to temporarily place the deities from the main temple.

This was funded by the developer. – December 1, 2018.