200-year-old diamond STOLEN from Goddess of Mercy temple

200-year-old diamond STOLEN from Goddess of Mercy temple

GEORGE TOWN: A 200-year-old diamond has gone missing from the centuries old Goddess of Mercy Temple in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.

The priceless gem was found missing at 1pm today after the glass encasing the deity was found shattered.

It remains unclear how the diamond went missing, but a 35-year-old man was badly beaten up by some devotees as they suspected him of being linked to the theft.

The victim was found lying motionless on the floor of the prayer room, with injuries to his head, when police arrived at the temple.

A police spokesman said three men had attacked the victim as he was found holding a hammer that was allegedly used to smash the glass encasing.

The temple management has lodged a police report over the incident.

The 211-year-old temple is a popular tourist attraction as it is situated along the 'Street of Harmony' where three temples, two mosques, a Hindu temple and a church are also located.

Meanwhile, a temple operations director who wanted to be known only as Tan, described the missing diamond as "priceless" adding that it had been with the temple since it was built .

Kong Hock Keong Temple Trustees president Datuk Lam Wu Chong expressed regret over what happened and added that additional security measures would be considered.

The temple, believed to be the second oldest in the country, is popular with childless couples who come to pray for divine help.

- thesundaily.my