KUALA LUMPUR: The attack on a fireman by rioters at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Putra Heights on Tuesday appeared to have been done with the intention to kill, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The prime minister said this was clearly done by those who had “no remorse” to the extent that they could have killed the victim.
“Based on the victim’s condition, it is clear that those who did this intended to kill him.
“We can hold demonstrations but it has to be done peacefully. What took place was not a demonstration, but an attempt to kill when they came with parang and such.
“We don’t have much evidence, but police will conduct a thorough investigation to find out the mastermind behind this,” he told a press conference after visiting the injured fireman, Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Wednesday.
Asked on police’s findings that lawyers for developer One City Development Sdn Bhd had hired ‘thugs’, Dr Mahathir said it was a wrong move to hire Malays to do the work in securing the temple.
“They don’t understand our culture, we can’t do that.
“If we can find out who is responsible, I feel that the Attorney-General should build a case,” he said.
On the request by the temple management for him to intervene in the issue, Dr Mahathir said he will issue a statement on the matter in Parliament on Thursday.