SUBANG JAYA: A foreigner, believed to be a construction worker was beaten by members of the public after he was accused of starting a fire at a 'rumah kongsi' near the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ 25, here, at about 1pm today.
Enforcement officers tried to prevent the man from getting beaten up but failed initially.
It was said that the man was seen leaving the 'rumah kongsi' from the back.
The situation outside the temple after the riot that took place early this morning was relatively calm until fresh disturbances broke out after 1pm.
Police managed to free the man from more beatings and put him in a police car.
However, the crowd prevented the police car from leaving the area with the man in it.
Situation was under control again after the police car managed to leave the area and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel continued to maintain order.
After the incident, Fire and Rescue Department officers entered the temple area to put out the fire at the 'rumah kongsi'.
Earlier this morning, two men sustained injuries and were taken to the Serdang Hospital for treatment, according to Selangor police chief Datuk Mazlan Mansor after clashes broke out between two groups at the temple.
In the incident, 18 vehicles parked near the temple were set ablaze.
An eye-witness account said a group of individuals wearing black, with masks covering their faces started provoking those inside the temple.
They later broke into the temple and began destroying things.