Don’t speculate on temple vandalism incident, says IGP

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has advised all quarters not to speculate on the incident where a Hindu temple was vandalised in Ipoh.

By Malaysiakini

This is after certain groups cast doubts on the official version that the suspect, a medical doctor, was suffering from a psychological condition.

“Our investigations have shown that the suspect was mentally unstable. There are medical records relating to this.

“The police have no reason to conceal information regarding this matter. It was an isolated incident involving a person who is ill,” Khalid told Malaysiakini.

The police chief also ruled out that the suspect was linked to any terrorist organisations, explaining that he acted on his own.

On the same note, he warned that those who spread rumours regarding this incident would face action.

“This incident involves a place of worship, irresponsible statements can cause unrest and lead to undesirable consequences. We would not hesitate to act,” he said.

Earlier today, MIC urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to enable appropriate action to be taken against the suspect.

“We hope that the fact he has been sent to Hospital Bahagia Tanjong Rambutan (which specialises in treating mental disorders) will not prevent the authorities from investigating the case thoroughly and in taking all appropriate actions that need to be taken.

“It has to be noted that despite his mental impairment, the subject in question targeted a Hindu temple specifically,” said party information chief VS Mogan in a statement.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II visited the affected temple and met with the people in the area this afternoon.

“They are questioning why the police has quickly drawn a conclusion that the person who did the act was mentally unstable. People are asking if he is a member of an extremist group.

“We understand that police are concerned that the matter do not go out of hand but the public need to know the truth. The police cannot control things if the public are not informed of the truth,” he said in a statement.

Also casting aspersions on the police’s version was the Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas), which questioned how an individual with a mental condition was allowed to roam free when he is a threat to others.

The suspect had reportedly run amok on Sunday and broke into the temple along Jalan Hospital, where he destroyed several statutes.

The individual later crashed his car into a bus stop not far from the temple while trying to escape and was subsequently arrested.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/339307