There were no private legal practitioners among the three One City Development Bhd employees who were remanded in connection with the Seafield riot, lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla said.

Haniff, who is representing two One City Development employees in the case, was responding to Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's claim that the developer's lawyers hired men to secure the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya on the morning of Nov 26. 

"Legally, according to the attorney-client privilege, I cannot reveal the identity of the two company officers or the company employees involved but in order to avoid the misunderstanding which has occurred, I can only confirm that one out of the three has a law qualification, but that person is no longer a practising private attorney while working for the company.

"So far this case does not involve two lawyers but only one 'lawyer'... that 'lawyer' is not even a practising private attorney," Haniff said in a statement today.

He also refuted claims that he and his fellow lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali were the two lawyers working for One City Development who had hired men to secure the Seafield temple.

Viral messages on social media last night had included a picture of both Haniff and Muhammad Rafique as well as a message alleging they were the "lawyers who were paid RM150,000 to take over the temple".

"Muhammad Rafique and I strongly condemn these nasty allegations and false accusations spread by whichever parties and we give a strong warning that we will take legal action against all or any individuals involved in spreading these nasty allegations and false accusations if it is not stopped immediately," Haniff said.

He pointed out that the Seafield riot began on early Monday morning, whereas he was only appointed by One City Development at 7.30pm that day to represent any arrested company employees.

Muhammad Rafique was only appointed later on Monday to represent one of the arrested company employees, upon Haniff's recommendation.

Haniff said he himself was later officially appointed to represent two other company employees arrested on Tuesday.

Muhyiddin's statement regarding the case was a good step in that it showed the riot as a legal dispute involving the developer and the temple committee, instead of a racial issue, he said.

However, Muhyiddin's remarks about the developer's lawyers were clearly inaccurate, he said.

While he believes it is the responsibility of the authorities to provide statements to keep the public informed on the developments of any case, Haniff said these statements should not reveal detailed information of the investigation, which could threaten the safety of any party or damage the investigation and trial, if any.

He said he and Muhammad Rafique were "living proof" that the revelation of inaccurate or premature details of an ongoing investigation could threaten the safety of individuals, including those who were not involved.

"That is why, I once again call for all those involved, including ministers, the authorities and all layers of society in this country to always uphold the principle of the rule of law," he said.

Haniff and Muhammad Rafique had represented the three One City Development employees in the remand hearing on Tuesday afternoon, where Haniff's clients were remanded for two days while Muhammad Rafique's client was remanded for four days.

In the early hours of Tuesday, some 1,000 had assembled at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ Subang Jaya and torched the wreckages of at least two cars burnt the night before.

The rioting had begun in the wee hours of Monday, when devotees gathered to protect the temple after word spread that it would be demolished.

The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, constructed in 1891, was supposed to have been relocated on Nov 22.