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Developer’s Lawyers Blamed for Hindu Temple Chaos

Nov 28, 2018

Initial investigations have revealed that a group of men were paid to trespass into the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Putra Heights, provoking the chaos there earlier this week.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said according to a 2014 Shah Alam High Court order, the temple was to be relocated, but a group of Hindu devotees disagreed.

After negotiations failed, the landowner, One City, decided to proceed with the court order to take over the land, on November 26th, 7am.

However, this plan was allegedly hijacked by the landowner’s lawyers.

“150,000 ringgit was paid to the group’s leader, to trespass, take over and guard the temple. About 50 men were then hired to accomplish this,” Tan Sri Muhyiddin told reporters.

He adds, each man was paid between RM150 and RM300.

This forced entry provoked the anger of devotees at the temple, leading to a scuffle in the wee hours of November 26th.

The Home Minister reiterated that as such, the violence at the temple was not motivated by racism, and urged Malaysians not to fan racist sentiments.

Image: Police personnel maintaining security at the scene.

21 people have been arrested, including lawyers linked to the landowner, who has repeatedly denied involvement.

Meanwhile, the fireman who was injured in a second scuffle at the temple on Tuesday night, is reported to be recovering at IJN.