GEORGE TOWN – Police have arrested a 28-year-old individual suspected to have vandalised a temple on the hillside at Ayer Itam here, causing damage to the altar and several other objects on the premise.
Following a complaint lodged by the temple’s caretakers, the police swooped in and identified the individual from video clips seen on social media.
They tracked down the suspect to the town here and arrested him a few hours after the alleged incident.
Several idols and candle holders, as well as other items of worship, were allegedly desecrated by the person who went on a barrage for several minutes.
The incident was captured on a video clip before it was uploaded, and it became viral.
Balik Pulau district police head Kamarul Rizal Jenal has confirmed this, saying in a statement that the suspect will be remanded for four days until Wednesday to facilitate an investigation into the alleged vandalism of the temple’s premise and altar.
“We believe the suspect may be mentally unstable,” he said.
The case has been classified under Section 295 and 427 of the Penal Code.
Section 295 concerns injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class, while Section 427 is related to causing mischief.
If found guilty, the person can be imprisoned for not less than one year and not more than five years or be fined, or be slapped with both punishments.
Meanwhile, Ayer Itam state assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang led a delegation to visit the temple.
In a social media posting, he stressed that the authorities should first be allowed to investigate the alleged vandalism of the premise.
He urged people to stop believing any speculations about the case until the investigations are completed, he said. – The Vibes, August 21, 2022
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