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Malaysia Rocked By Ethnic Riots
by Kazi Mahmood
Kuala Lumpur, March 11 (IslamOnline) - Malaysia has been rocked by three days of rioting in highly populated settlements near Kuala Lumpur that resulted in three dead and several more severely injured on Saturday.
Malaysian police seemed taken by surprise by the surge of violence following an outburst over a wedding, and a death ceremony, that needed police intervention a week ago.
Police say they arrested 75 people in the region and seized various homemade weapons ranging from slaughter knives, batons, hatchets, axes and spears and knives.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in a press statement released on Sunday declared that the situation was under control. The riot involved Malays and ethnic Indians with most of those arrested being Malays, a police report said.
Mahathir said the situation in Taman Desaria and in areas off Jalan Klang Lama was now under control.
"I can assure the people that the police will look after the situation," the Prime Minister told TV3.
Stating that the clashes were said to have started after irresponsible people spread rumors that Indians were attacking Malays, Mahathir added that they were isolated incidents and that police would ensure they would not recur.
The police's corrective measures include detaining more people following clashes reported in Kampung Lindungan and surrounding areas, as operations to detain undesirable elements continue.
Police warned those residing in adjoining housing settlements to refrain from gathering in public places, as it would be deemed to be an illegal gathering.
"Those found doing so [gathering] would be dealt with accordingly," Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Jamil Johari said.
Commenting on the incidents, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hoped that no party would take advantage of the situation in the housing settlements to disrupt the peace.
"The situation is under control and police will take firm action against anyone attempting to do anything which threatens peace and security."
Jamil said there were no racial problems in this incident and that no curfew was imposed in the region. At least 400 policemen had been stationed in the area round-the-clock to monitor the situation.
Among those detained were five soldiers of the Malaysian army. Knives, steel rods and samurai swords were found on those arrested. The soldiers were attached to the Sungei Besi army camp.
Jamil said: "At the height of the situation, they forgot their training and discipline."
Early on Saturday, a 28-year-old man was killed when he was attacked by unidentified assailants, bringing to three the number of people killed since clashes broke out on Thursday.
The 16 injured were still being treated at the Universiti Malaya Medical Center, while those who suffered minor injuries sought treatment at clinics.
Jamil said a lorry and two motorcycles were also set ablaze during the clashes.
Commenting on the clashes, Jamil said, "Much has been blown out of proportion following Thursday's incident and this was further aggravated by unfounded rumors."
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