AN activist was charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Langkawi on Tuesday with allegedly damaging a sacred Hindu object at the former Sri Muniswarar Temple site in Selat Panchor, Kuah, on March 8.
Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, 34, dressed in a black T-shirt and blue trousers, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrate Hemy Annerina Haja Mydin.
According to the charge sheet, Tamim Dahri was accused of damaging a three-pronged spear, or “soolam”, at the former temple site between 3.30pm and 6.30pm, knowing that stepping on the object would be considered an insult to the Hindu religion.
He was charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum imprisonment term of two years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ain Nur Sofea Noridan led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Datuk Hanif Hassan.
The prosecution subsequently applied for no bail to be granted, arguing that the move was necessary to prevent the accused from absconding and to ensure his attendance throughout the court proceedings.
However, Hanif objected to the application, arguing that the offence under Section 295 of the Penal Code was a bailable offence.
He told the court that his client had cooperated with authorities by returning to Malaysia and surrendering himself to the police, while also being prepared to surrender his passport and report to a police station according to any conditions imposed.
The court allowed Tamim Dahri to be released on RM10,000 bail with two Malaysian sureties. He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court and report to the nearest police station once every two weeks.
The court fixed Aug 23 for the next mention of the case for the submission of documents. The accused’s family subsequently paid the bail amount at the Langkawi Court Complex counter.
Earlier, media reports stated that police had sought the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice to locate Tamim Dahri, who was wanted in connection with the alleged damage to a Hindu sacred object in Langkawi on March 8.
Kedah Police Chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah was reported as saying that Tamim Dahri had been listed as a wanted person after authorities failed to locate him.
Checks also found that he had left the country shortly after the incident before returning and surrendering himself to police the previous week. - July 21, 2026
