Two charged over temple riots

PETALING JAYA: A lorry driver was charged at the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday for obstructing civil servants from carrying out their duties as well as rioting at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, a little more than a month ago.

M. Chandran, 32, pleaded not guilty to the two charges read out before Magistrate Nurshahirah Abdul Salim.

A group including Chandran and several others who are still at large were jointly charged with obstructing Inspector Mohd Nazmi Zulkafli, Sergeant Mohamad Faiz Abdul Rahim and Corporal Ahmad Zamran Mat from carrying out their duties.

On the second count, Chandran was charged together with 50 people, several of whom are still at large, as being a part of a group which prevented a police patrol car from exiting the temple premises using criminal force.

All the offences were allegedly committed at the front entrance of the temple located USJ 25, Subang Jaya at 1.30 pm on Nov 26 last year, under Section 186 and 147 of the Penal Code, with each charge carrying a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Meanwhile, an unemployed man also pleaded not guilty in front of Magistrate Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir for treason by damaging a vehicle at the same location, at 4.30am, Nov 25 last year.