PETALING JAYA: Four men who were involved in a riot over the relocation of a temple in Subang Jaya have been charged with rioting and using dangerous weapons at a magistrate’s court here.
The four, Muhammad Ridzuan Sekh Ruslan, 26; Mohd Khairi Abd Rashid, 24, Irwan Nordin, 38 and Rozaihan Jamaludin, 38, later claimed trial before magistrate Nor Ariffin Hisham.
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 machetes and axes.
Their offences were allegedly committed at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at USJ 25, Seafield in Subang Jaya between 2am and 5am on Nov 26.
They are facing charges under Section 148 of the Penal Code which provides a maximum of five years’ jail, a fine or both if convicted.
Nor Ariffin set bail at RM10,000 in one surety each.
He also ordered them to report to the nearest police station once a month and surrender their passports pending disposal of the case.
The court then set Jan 17 for mention.
Meanwhile, in a separate function in Kuala Lumpur, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said 83 people have been arrested so far to facilitate investigations in connection with the riot at the temple, up from 68 people on Monday.
Mohamad Fuzi declined to say if the 15 additional arrests included the 28 whose images were released by police today.
“I cannot reveal that information, but all those arrested are linked to the incident.
“We are still tracking them down,“ he said in reference those whose images were released.
On the current situation at the temple, Mohamad Fuzi said it was under control with policemen, as well as personnel from the General Operations Force and the Federal Reserve Unit, still stationed there to monitor the area.
