A 37-year-old man, who is possibly mentally unstable, has been arrested in connection with two incidents where idols were placed at the Sabilul Huda surau in Taman Pendamar, Klang.
- Suspect a practitioner of “deviant religious knowledge”, known as “gila isim”
- Motivated by a dream
- Tested positive for drug use
South Klang OCPD Asst Comm Shamsul Amar Ramli said the man was detained at about 6.15pm on Sunday (Feb 24) for placing idols at the surau on Wednesday (Feb 20) and Saturday (Feb 23).
“The suspect was detained at his home, which is located some 200m away from the mosque.
“He also tested positive for syabu use,” he told a press conference on Monday (Feb 25).
Shamsul said the suspect had admitted to placing the idols at the surau, claiming felt compelled to do it after a dream.
“We believe the suspect had placed an idol at the mosque on Wednesday and two other smaller-sized ones on Saturday.
“The idols may have been stolen from nearby temples,” he said.
Shamsul said the suspect also claimed he had received certain teachings – possibly deviant – in a neighbouring country.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that the suspect is mentally unstable.
“He has a past criminal record and we will investigate further,” he said.
He stressed that the incidents at the surau were the act of one man and had nothing to do with insulting Islam or inciting racial or religious sentiments.
On Saturday (Feb 23), Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin condemned the irresponsible act and said police had received several reports on the matter.
“I have instructed the Inspector-General of Police to investigate this thoroughly.
“Stern action based on the rule of law must be taken against those responsible for committing such a despicable and provocative act.
“Those responsible for stirring up tensions among the different races and religions must be arrested based on the law, prosecuted and punished if found guilty,” he said.
ACP Shamsul claimed that the suspect was a practitioner of “deviant religious knowledge”, known as “gila isim“.
He said the suspect was motivated by a dream.
“While at his family home, the suspect dreamt of the Kaaba being surrounded by idols and believed that he had to do the same to the surau.
“His motive in the first incident was to invite the Chinese community to pray at the surau while the motive for the second incident was to invite the Hindu community to pray at the surau,” he added.
Shamsul said the suspect had two previous criminal convictions – one under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and another under Section 379 for theft.
Earlier report: Feb 24, Pranksters Strike Again with Religious Figurines