By B Nantha Kumar - Free Malaysia TodayKUALA LUMPUR: The late M Gunasegaran's family is contemplating legal action against the state government and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) for inciting him into setting himself on fire.
Gunasegaran, who was Puchong MIC division information, had on Nov 8 set himself on fire in an attempt to stop the demolition of two structures belonging to a Hindu temple in Puchong. He passed away last Tuesday from severe burns, leaving behind six children.
Said his brother, Alagendran: "We've been talking to the lawyers about taking action against MPSJ, the government and Castlefield Tamil school.
"We have been investigating the incident and we believe the school headmaster and MPSJ are the root cause of my brother's death."
The temple structures targeted by MPSJ officials were located on land belonging to the nearby Castlefield Tamil School.
Alagendran said according to the temple committee, they had been given three months to move by the school.
"The temple committee said they were given three months to shift before the two wooden structures would be torn down by MPSJ.
"But suddenly the headmaster and a contractor brought MPSJ officials to the spot. My brother got angry and tried to stop the MPSJ officials.
"He tried to stop the demolition by setting himself on fire," he told FMT.
Alagendran blamed the state government for sending the MPSJ enforcement officers to demolish the building instead of discussing the issue.
"Council officers were supposed to be careful in dealing with such sensitive matters, especially when there is someone threatening to kill himself.
"The state claims that it did not send the enforcement officer... then who did? Is the state government so ignorant to the extent that MPSJ can make its own decisions?" he asked, adding that he hoped the state government would take responsbility and compensate Gunasegaran's children.
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