“In future, this will not happen. We have our ways to stop such things from happening,” he said after opening the 12th National Academic Awards here today.

In the wee hours of Monday, at least 18 vehicles were torched during a fight between two groups of people at the temple.

Violence erupted again early this morning where several cars parked by the roadside were set on fire and a group vandalised the MCT Tower building, where developer One City Development Sdn Bhd, has an office.

Police have arrested 21 people in connection with the violence.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said in his speech that although the country’s education system was often criticised, the government was happy with the achievements of the higher institutions of learning and local academics.

“These achievements contribute to various strategies to place local education at the international level.

“Academicians are an important group that create graduates who are willing to face challenges and who have values and intelligence,” he said.