Quran Desecration: IPT Student To Face Charges Today

KUANTAN, March 3 (Bernama) -- A higher education institution (IPT) student suspected of stepping on the Quran and sharing the act on social media will be charged at the Sessions Court here today.

The 21-year-old is expected to be brought to the Kuantan Court Complex at about 8am and will face two charges.

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) yesterday said he will be charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a sacred object, namely the Quran, by stepping on it with knowledge that the act was an insult to Islam.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

He will also be charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for initiating an extremely offensive communication with intent to hurt others via the Threads application.

The offence provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

On Feb 25, the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) student was detained to assist investigations for allegedly insulting Islam on social media.

Yesterday, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said 82 police reports had been lodged nationwide over the matter, adding that investigations found sufficient evidence to recommend charges.

The case has attracted widespread attention because it involves a sensitive religious issue and could affect social harmony.

-- BERNAMA