THE Save Seafield Temple Task Force hopes the police will stop arresting devotees who are coming forward to give their statements on the riots at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple last week. 

Save Seafield Temple Task Force chairman S. Ramaji said that they are not against or interfering with the police investigations.

“We are just appealing to the police not to arrest and put them in jail. 

“They (police) shouldn’t scare them so that they will come forward and openly give their statements,” he told reporters at the temple in Subang Jaya today. 

Ramaji said 18 devotees had been detained after they went to the police station to give their account of events on November 26-27 and 12 families were now seeking information on what had become of their relatives who had been picked up by the cops. 

Yesterday, Inspector General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said police have arrested 83 people in connection with the riot at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple last week. 

He said they are still tracking down other suspects, including witnesses sought by the Bukit Aman CID.

Ramaji said that the families have approached the task force and asked what it is doing about it.

“We can’t do anything but ask the police to be more considerate. We are not here to interrupt the investigations.”

Task Force member A. Chandrakumanan said that the police should arrest those involved if they have strong evidence.

“We are not objecting or interfering with to the police’s methods, but innocent people are getting arrested. The police have even extended their remand order.”

Chandrakumanan also called on the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter.

“The government should form a RCI to find out what had happened and who is responsible for the riots.

“What had happened is tantamount to a matter of national security. When the temple was attacked, many people came to support, but a fireman among others got injured.” – December 5, 2018.