KUALA LUMPUR – The police officer tasked with investigating the defaced Deepavali kolam at a hospital in Klang has been told to get the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission report for further action, said Klang Utara district police chief S. Vijaya Rao.
The investigation paper has also been referred to the police force’s legal division.
Earlier, the man who was caught on video allegedly defacing the kolam and the person filming the act were remanded for three days.
The video, uploaded by a Twitter user named Indrren, shows the baju Melayu-clad man trodding over the religious artwork and ruining its intricate lines and patterns.
At one point in the half-a-minute clip, the man is seen drawing a letter “S” over the design, as a female companion laughs while recording him on camera, saying that he was committing vandalism.
It was unclear when the incident took place. However, a logo visible on a backdrop seen in the video indicates that it took place in a renowned private health facility.
Meanwhile, the KPJ Klang private hospital said it was informed that one of its staff members was allegedly involved in the “unprofessional behaviour” shown in the video.
In a statement, it said it had launched an internal investigation into the video and will take stern action if one of its staff members was involved.
The case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which deals with “causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion”.
If convicted, the offence is punishable with a minimum of two years’ prison or a duration not exceeding five years. – The Vibes, November 4, 2022