Vandalised surau: Four nabbed

Four teenagers have been arrested by the police over the vandalism of a newly-opened surau in Taman Pulai Impian in Temiang, Negri Sembilan.

At a press conference today, state police chief Osman Salleh said the four, aged between 16 and 18, were arrested early this morning.

According to theStar, Osman said initial investigations revealed that the four had been playing with firecrackers near the surau on Sunday and had been told off.

Dissatisfied, the youth decided to splash paint at the prayer hall, which opened in July.

"It appears to have been an act of impulse," Osman was reported as saying.

He added that they would be remanded for four days before a decision was made as to whether there was enough evidence to charge them with defiling a place of worship.

It was reported yesterday that committee members of the new surau came upon the red paint splashed onto the walls of the prayer hall when they arrived for the dawn prayers shortly before 6am that morning.

Several broken liquor bottles - believed to have been used to contain the paint - were found within the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong told reporters during a visit to the surau today that the was taking the matter “very seriously.”

“An incident like this should not have taken place. We will not hesitate to take stern action against any individual or group that threatens the peace of our country.”

However, he said, as the incident is believed to have been “an impulsive act” by youngsters, he hoped that no one would take the opportunity to stir up racial sentiments.

“Investigations are ongoing. I hope the issue is not played up,” he said.

courtesy of Malaysiakini