Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riot

2018 Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riot
Part of History of Malaysia
Large fires around the area involved in the riots.
Date26 – November 27, 2018 (2018-11-27)
Location
USJ 25, Subang Jaya, Petaling, Selangor, Malaysia
Caused byDisagreement between the two groups regarding the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple site
MethodsAttacks on temple and developer premises, riots, fights, arson, assemblies
Resulted in
  • Death of a firefighter, Muhammad Adib
  • 23 vehicles were destroyed by fire
  • Damage to a fire engine, a police MPV and other vehicles
  • Property damage at the temple site and nearby developer premises
  • 106 people were arrested in the temple riot incident
  • Pressure on Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy as Unity Minister to resign or be fired
  • Protest held in Klang to avenge the death of Muhammad Adib
  • Inquest into the death of Muhammad Adib conducted
Parties
Devotees of temple;
Indian community
One City Development Sdn. Bhd.;
The group invaded temple;
Malay group gathered
Lead figures

S. Ramaji

Mahathir Mohamad
P. Waytha Moorthy
Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun (National Police chief)
YAS Dato' Haji Mohammad Hamdan Haji Wahid (Director General of Fire and Rescue Malaysia)

Units involved
Number
Number of devotees of temple during the temple attack is unknown (Day one);
≈ 10,000 Indians gather (Day two)
50 people invaded temple (Day one);
≈ 80 Malays assembly (Day two)
700 members of the police including the FRU;
9 members of firefighters attacked by rioters (Day two)
Casualties and losses
3 Indians injured (Day one)
3 Malays and one foreigner injured (Day one)
A police officer injured (Day one);
A severely injured firefighter was beaten by rioters and sent to a treatment center (Day two), died 21 days after the incident
1 death
≥ 10 injured
106 arrested

The 2018 Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riot was a riot incident that occurred over two days, from November 26 to 27, 2018, at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple site and the surrounding area at USJ 25, Subang Jaya, Petaling, Selangor. The registered legal owner of the land where the temple stands is One City Development Sdn Bhd, a property developer.This ownership is confirmed by court decisions — other groups trying to block the developer’s rights to enter or control the land have had their applications dismissed by the High Court. The court said the devotees lacked legal standing to restrain the developer.

  • The developer successfully obtained a writ of possession over the temple land, confirming their right to take legal control of it.
  • Attempts by temple devotees to delay that transfer or restrain the developer were refused by the courts.
  • Previous agreements (from 2014 consent judgment) required the temple to relocate, with compensation and alternative land provided by the developer.
  • On 27 November 2018, the developer attempted to carry out maintenance work on the temple land, including erecting fencing and securing the property.
  • This was perceived by some devotees as an attempt to evict or demolish the temple.
  • Word spread quickly among the community, creating heightened emotions and fear of losing the place of worship.

As a result, the riot incident caused damage to public property and the death of a firefighter, Muhammad Adib bin Mohd Kassim. The riots received public attention and widespread coverage in the Malaysian mass media.

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