KAJANG: About 1,400 personnel of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and traffic police will be stationed at and around the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Putra Heights tonight.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said tighter control and stronger measures would be taken to avert any more riots.
“Police will also set up tents and checkpoints in the area, we do not want yesterday’s incidents to happen again.
“If there are any signs that they (people) want to assemble or march, the police will from the start prevent them from doing so, and will ask them to disperse,“ he told reporters after launching a Road Safety Awareness Campaign with Workers, a Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Royal Malaysia Police Initiative, here today.
He said stern action under Section 141 of the Penal Code would be taken if groups assembled and caused riots in the area.
“They could also face action under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The police will take whatever action necessary to ensure the safety and security of the country,“ he added.
Commenting further, he said more than 91 police reports were received regarding the riots at the temple and investigation papers had been opened.
“On the case of the firefighter who was assaulted, we have opened an investigation under Section 326 of the Penal Code as he had sustained injuries.”
Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, a member of the Fire and Rescue Department’s Emergency Services Assistance Unit (EMRS), was seriously injured in the early morning incident.
“Investigation papers were also opened under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting, Section 327 of the Penal Code for breaking and damaging public property and Section 435 of the Penal Code (mischief by fire),“ he said.
Police have so far detained 21 people in connection with the riot on the temple grounds.
The riot at the temple compound started about 2am on Monday when two groups clashed, which led to 23 vehicles being burnt outside the temple grounds.
Another incident happened later in the morning when a mob burnt two vehicles on the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), a car outside the temple premises and damaged a fire engine.
Some of the rioters had also caused damage to a building belonging to a developer which was located two kilometres from the temple.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the temple was peaceful today with a mobile police vehicle parked at the entrance as a precautionary measure. Policemen were also seen patrolling the premises.
Traffic along the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) was also back to normal.
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin had also visited the temple with Fire and Rescue Department personnel earlier today. — Bernama
