Cops nab lorry driver for destroying Perak temple statues

 

Manjung police chief Nordin Abdullah said the suspect was arrested at his workplace and his mobile phone has been confiscated. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a man believed to be responsible for the destruction of statues at a temple in Manjung, Perak.

Manjung police chief Nordin Abdullah said the 35-year-old lorry driver was arrested at 9.30pm yesterday and is being investigated for defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion and misuse of network facilities.

Nordin said the police were made aware of a video which went viral showing a man vandalising statues at a temple in Kampung Koh, Manjung, at 1.30pm yesterday.

“We arrested the suspect at his workplace and confiscated his mobile phone, which is believed to have been used to record the video,” he said in a statement today.

He said a police report was lodged by a station chief upon viewing the video.

The suspect will be brought to the Teluk Intan magistrates’ court today to be remanded.

The investigation for defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion is being carried out under Section 295 of the Penal Code, punishable with a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The investigation into the alleged misuse of network facilities is being conducted under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, or imprisonment of up to one year, or both.

Nordin warned the public not to play up issues touching on race, religion and royalty as it could threaten national security. - FMT