Four men claim trial to rioting at Seafield temple

PETALING JAYA: Four men who were allegedly involved in a scuffle over the relocation of a temple in Subang Jaya last month have claimed trial in a magistrate’s court here to rioting and possessing dangerous weapons.

The three self-employed – Muhammad Ridzuan Sekh Ruslan, 26, Mohd Khairi Abd Rashid, 24, and Rozaihan Jamaludin, 38 – and security officer Irwan Nordin, 38, were charged before magistrate Nor Ariffin Hisham yesterday.

They were jointly charged, together with several others still at large, for being present during the riot and being in possession of weapons such as axes and machetes.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Seafield, in Subang Jaya, between 2am and 5am on Nov 26.

They are facing a maximum of five years’ jail, a fine or both, if convicted under Section 148 of the Penal Code.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Salim Soib @ Hamid offered bail at RM20,000 in one surety for each accused, saying that it had drawn public attention.

Irwan’s counsel Mohamed Rafique Rashid Ali said his client earned RM4,000 a month and had to support his wife and two schoolgoing children, adding that a RM5,000 bail was reasonable.

Nor Ariffin set bail at RM10,000 in one sure- ty each.

He also ordered the accused to report at the nearest police station once a month and surrender their passports pending disposal of the case.

Meanwhile, the fifth accused T. Thinekaran, 34, has also pleaded not guilty to voluntarily causing injury to one Datuk K. Tanggeswaran, 25, by punching his left eyebrow by a roadside along Damansara-Puchong Highway in USJ at 4.30pm on Nov 26.

Salim offered bail at RM3,000 in one surety but Nor Ariffin granted bail at RM2,500 in one surety.

The court fixed Jan 17 for mention for all cases.

Meanwhile, mechanic Mohd Shamis Samsuri, 29, was jailed two months for being in a gathering which might cause disturbance to public order and failing to follow police instruction to disperse.

Nor Ariffin meted out the sentence following Mohd Shamis’ guilty plea.

Seventh accused R. Pavethran, a technician, was fined RM3,500 in default four months’ jail for failing to produce his identity card upon inspection by the police in Jalan Harmoni, Putra Heights, at 1.15am on Nov 28.

Pavethran was also fined RM1,500 in default two months’ jail for ignoring a directive by policeman Cpl Riza Ahmad Abdul Khalid, who was controlling traffic at the same time and place.