KUALA LUMPUR: MIC will be offering free legal assistance to all groups affected by the recent temple riot incident, said its Deputy President Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pic).
According to Saravanan, the legal assistance will be given to the temple’s officials, victims, and even uniformed officials.
“There were even devotees who were arrested, so we need to give them legal assistance.
"Everyone will be given the free legal assistance, even uniformed officials if needed,” he said a press conference at Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 28). He was accompanied by a team of lawyers.
Saravanan said that the lawyers are currently studying the case closely and will provide legal assistance if needed.
He added that the free legal assistance initiative came after a decision by MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran.
“MIC has also helped those who have been warded in hospital after being attacked by thugs.
“Some of them can’t even pay their hospital fees until today. MIC will help in terms of treatment costs,” he said.
The 100-year-old Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple has been the scene of trouble following a court order to relocate a few miles from its current site.
The temple is sitting on land owned by One City Development, a subsidiary of MCT Bhd, which is listed on Bursa Malaysia.
On Wednesday, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dropped a bombshell when he announced that lawyers to the developer hired thugs to “take care of things” at the site.
However, One City Development has since stated that it “categorically denies hiring or authorised the hiring of thugs to initiate riots at the temple”.
Commenting on the matter, Saravanan said that if these allegations are true, then it is an offence under the law.
“It is an offence because not only did they bring in outsiders, but even thugs, where devotees were threatened with a machete and such,” he added.
Some two dozen people have been detained in connection with the riots at the temple on Monday (Nov 26).
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