Police have information on mastermind, says home minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified the mastermind of the second riot at the Seri Maha Mariamman Temple on Nov 27, where a fireman was seriously injured.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said police had information on the mastermind and gave the assurance that action would be taken soon.

“Police have the information, and action has been taken against those who were suspected to be involved in the incident.

“Based on the latest report, the number of those arrested and remanded also saw an increase.

“Members of the public had also assisted police in the investigation into (the injured fireman) Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s case.”

Muhyiddin said this after attending the Home Ministry’s monthly meeting with police in Bukit Aman here.

Commenting on the list of 28 people who are being sought to assist in the investigations, Muhyiddin said none of them had turned themselves in.

On Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator P. Waytha Moorthy being called in to have his statement recorded, he said Waytha was probably summoned in connection with a statement made regarding the incident at the temple.

“The investigation will be conducted under the Penal Code and Sedition Act,” he said.

Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said 83 people had been arrested in connection with the incidents at the temple.

“Up to 8am today (yesterday), the number of suspects arrested has increased to 83.

“We will issue another notice after 8am tomorrow (today) if there are new developments,” he said.

It was reported yesterday that 68 people were arrested in connection with the fracas.

Asked whether the 15 new arrests involved individuals wanted by the police, Fuzi declined to elaborate.

“All of them were involved in the incident at the temple. Efforts to hunt down the suspects are continuing,” he said.