KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 ― The violent riots at the Hindu temple in Seafield, Subang Jaya that caused injuries and property damage had nothing to do with race or religion, but was a criminal matter, the prime minister said today.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that stern action will be taken against the criminals involved and any masterminds of the unrest over the past two days.

“Racial issues or religious issues did not arise at all although it is related to the temple’s relocation,” he said in a statement today.

“Once again I stress that this incident is a criminal incident and has no relation at all to other elements,” he concluded in his statement.

In the same statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Mahathir said he had been keeping track of and has received the latest updates from the police on investigations into the rioting yesterday at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple at Seafield, USJ25, Subang Jaya.

“It is very clear from preliminary investigations that the first incident that happened had criminal elements. The same too for the subsequent incident that involved property damage and injury to police personnel,” he said.

“As it is related to crime, the police have been ordered to take further action to handle and control this situation immediately,” he added.

Dr Mahathir said the government regrets the “irresponsible actions of criminals” who stirred up chaos at the temple’s area and injured members of the security forces and rescue personnel during the riot.

“The criminals who tried to carry out rioting and who injured security and rescue personnel, including destroying public property will face stern action according to existing laws.

“For the masterminds, if any, behind these incidents they too will not escape from facing the appropriate punishment,” he said, adding that the government also advised the public against listening to rumours or spreading irresponsible messages.

The unrest at the Hindu temple’s area is reportedly believed to be linked to a land dispute matter, with the Shah Alam High Court already recording a consent judgment in 2014 for the temple said to be over 100-years-old to be relocated from its current site that is under the ownership of One City Development Sdn Bhd.

Pre-dawn clashes yesterday at the temple resulted in 18 cars and two motorcycles torched, while a gathering late last night by demonstrators at the temple area later turning violent and stretching into the wee hours of the day today.

Five more cars and the office of developer One City were damaged in the second rioting incident, while the courts has allowed the police to remand 19 individuals who were arrested to assist in investigations.

A 24-year-old fireman was seriously injured after being attacked by the mob before dawn today, and is reportedly in critical condition and in the intensive care unit of a hospital.