Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

The initial riot erupted in the early hours of 26 November with Temple Task Force Chairman S.Ramaji claiming as a result of intrusion by around 250 people[14] of 'Malay ethnicity' while the Selangor Police Chief reported that 17 suspects were arrested[15] following altercations between 'rival groups' at the temple which resulted in a riot that involved the burning of 18 cars and motorcycles. It was later reported that a law firm representing the developer had hired thugs to 'secure' the temple. This was further denied by the firms [16] which was reported to have represented the developer in its injunction against the temple. The Inspector General of Police on 29 November 2018 reportedly said that a detained lawyer in connection to the unrest is an adviser to the developer.[17]

Later in the late evening of 26 November, a huge crowd gathered again[18] resulting in a second subsequent riot which also saw a group attacking the premises of the developer,[19] 1 km away from the temple.

The second riot also saw the critical injury of an emergency responder, Muhammmad Adib Mohd Kassim. A firefighter based at the Subang Jaya Fire Station (Balai Bomba Subang Jaya),[20][21] Adib was one of nine responders to the second temple riot who were attacked on arrival,[22][23][24] and the only responder to suffer injuries when his partner Hazim inadvertently left him in the open. Although subsequent claims by eyewitnesses were made that the fireman was actually injured as a result of a fire engine reversing into Adib[25] this was then refuted by the Fire and Rescue Department director-general Mohamad Hamdan Wahid.[26][27]

Adib was initially helped by some devotees present at the temple[28] and was later sent to the Ramsay Sime Darby Medical Centre (also known as Subang Jaya Medical Centre or SJMC). As a result of worsening health, Adib was subsequently transferred to Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), where he required the use of ECMO machine.[29][30] While visiting the critically injured fireman, Minister of Housing and Local Ministry Zuraida Kamaruddin was reported to have said that Adib has "hit and stomped on."[24] Minister of Health Dr.Dzulkefly Ahmad reported that the fireman was recovering well following his treatment and was recovering well[31] (29 November 2018). He was also visited by the Sultan of Kedah[32] due to him being a Kedahan.

Although initially reported to be recovering well, Adib succumbed to his injuries on the evening of 17 December while still under intensive care at IJN.[33] He was then laid to rest in the As-Saadah Mosque Muslim cemetery in Kampung Tebengau, Kuala Kedah on 18 December 2018.[34] His name and service number was then inscribed in the Fire Department's 'Fallen Heroes' monument in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor[35] to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the late fireman.

In the aftermath of the riot, Minister of Unity & Social Wellbeing P. Waytha Moorthy was reported to have said that the reaction from the police had been poor, resulting in the riot getting out of control. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, P Waytha Moorthy, who headed a media conference at the Parliament lobby on 26 November 2018 claimed the Subang Jaya District Police issued a false statement that the cause of the riot was a misunderstanding between two Indian groups over the temple's relocation when it was not the truth.[36]. His statement was also deemed to have been inciteful, resulting in investigations against him by authorities.[37] Reaction from opposition lawmakers include the call for him to resign or be sacked.[38] The demands gained traction culminating to protest gatherings which resulted in the Prime Minister responding to the demands publicly by stating that it will remain the PM's prerogative on the outcome of Waytha's position.[39] As a result, a protest by the extremist Muslim Malay group Jaringan melayu Malaysia organized a protest in Klang on 25 December 2018,[40] one week after the death of Adib, opposition leaders clamoured to make themselves heard, including the call by Jaringan Melayu Malaysia President Azwanddin Hamzah to 'storm police stations' if no action was taken[41][42][43]