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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has firmly rejected allegations that his government has failed to act over an incident involving the alleged desecration of the Quran, insisting that a full investigation is under way and that due process must prevail.
Responding to criticism circulating online, Anwar said the authorities were conducting a thorough inquiry in accordance with existing laws.
He stressed that Malaysia, as a nation founded on the rule of law, would not be swayed by emotional pressure or social media commentary.
“This country is governed by the rule of law, not by emotion and speculation,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
He urged all parties to refrain from speculation and to leave the matter entirely in the hands of law enforcement, warning that irresponsible statements could undermine public harmony.
The case concerns a 21-year-old student from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), who has been remanded to assist investigations into allegations of insulting Islam by stepping on a copy of the Quran.
Police confirmed that the investigation papers have been completed, though further action has been requested by the Deputy Public Prosecutor to finalise the case.
Kuantan district police chief ACP Ashari Abu Samah said on Saturday that the remand had been extended until 3 March following instructions from the prosecution for additional investigative steps.
Earlier, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman had indicated that the inquiry file was ready for submission.
The prime minister’s remarks echo his previous stance on religious provocations.
In January 2023, Anwar made clear that Malaysia would not tolerate the burning of holy books or religious texts, including the Quran, the Bible and Hindu scriptures, emphasising that Malaysians value humanity and respect the rights of every individual.
At the time, he strongly condemned the actions of Swedish-Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan, who burned copies of the Quran in Sweden, describing the episode as symptomatic of widespread misunderstanding and prejudice towards religions, including Islam.
Following that incident, Malaysia arranged for one million copies of the Quran to be printed and distributed worldwide as a gesture of response to the desecration in Sweden.
The current investigation, Anwar said, will proceed strictly within the legal framework, reiterating that the government’s responsibility is to uphold justice impartially while preserving social cohesion in the country’s multi-religious society. - March 1, 2026