It was not a racial clash - temple priest calls for calm

The fracas at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya this morning was not a racial clash, said the temple's priest S Jayakumar (above).

"I appeal to all quarters, including Hindus in Malaysia, to be patient and not make provocative statements on social media.

"I wish to stress it was not a racial riot but the cruel action of those who want to demolish this temple," he told Malaysiakini.

As for the two intruders who were injured, Jayakumar said this happened when the pair angered the devotees in the temple.

"One of them stepped on a statue while another damaged a lamp with a parang. These were the two who were assaulted," he claimed.

Meanwhile, K Selvam (photo), one of those held at knifepoint by the intruders, claimed that the latter was acting on orders from outsiders.

"The person leading the group was repeatedly calling someone to explain what was happening and to receive new instructions.

"To my knowledge, they took five of us hostage to move the statues. However, this failed when the temple people retaliated," he told Malaysiakini.

Selvam claimed that he also saw a parking card from a firm implicated in the incident.

Earlier, MIC president SA Vigneswaran visited the temple and donated RM20,000. He also said the incident should not be politicised.

As of 5pm, there were still some 500 people at the temple grounds.

A Subang resident, who wished to be identified only as Nathan, said he has been at the temple since 7am to show his support.

Source :https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/453515