Police nab four out of 12 cow head protesters

(The Star) – Police on Tuesday nabbed four out of the 12 people allegedly involved in the cow head protest at the state secretariat building in Shah Alam on Aug 28, said Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

The others have been asked to come to the police station by the end of the day, failing which police would pick them up, he said.

DCP Khalid said they were likely to be charged in court on Wednesday.

“Several will be charged with illegal assembly, several under the Sedition Act and some with both,” he said.

On Monday, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said that those who protested against the relocation of 150-year-old Hindu temple in Section 19 to Section 23 in Shah Alam would be hauled to court.

In the statement on Monday, he had said that “those who carried and spoke while stepping on the cow’s head under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act alternatively Section 298 of the Penal Code.”

“They, as well as the other demonstrators, will also be facing another charge under Section 27(5) of the Police Act 1967 for illegal assembly.”

On Aug 28, some 50 people, led by residents of Section 23, marched some 300m from the state mosque to the gates of the State Secretariat building to protest against the relocation of the Sri Mahamariamman temple from Section 19 to Section 23.

They carried a cow’s head and stepped on it, kicked it and spat on it during the protest.

They also warned of further action if the temple was built in their area.

The manner of the protest drew heavy criticism from various parties for insulting religious sensitivities as cows are considered holy by Hindus.