61 Muslims arrested since 2020 over insults to Islam

 

Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said non-Muslims arrested for similar offences may be punished under the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A total of 61 Muslims were arrested for insulting Islam from 2020 to 2024, with 52 cases leading to prosecution in court, says religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar.

Na’im said these cases specifically involved Muslims who had insulted the Islamic faith, adding that the offence was punishable under shariah provisions.

He, however, did not disclose the number of non-Muslims arrested or prosecuted for similar cases in a parliamentary reply.

In such cases, he said, non-Muslims may be punished under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony on grounds of religion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities.

He was responding to a question from Salamiah Nor (PN-Temerloh) on the number of cases of insults to Islam that occurred from 2020 to 2024. - FMT