PENAMPANG: Five teenage boys aged between 13 and 16 have been arrested in Putatan in connection with the vandalism of a prayer pavilion, Penampang police chief Supt Sammy Newton said.
He said the suspects were detained on July 15 and police have classified the case as solved.
Initial investigations found the incident was an act of vandalism and was not linked to any element of insulting or degrading any religion, he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 427 and Section 295 of the Penal Code, with the investigation paper to be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor soon.
Sammy said Penampang police viewed seriously any act of mischief involving houses of worship or places of worship as such incidents had the potential to affect public order and community harmony.
He said investigations would be conducted transparently, professionally and in accordance with the law, while advising the public not to speculate or recirculate images and videos that could disrupt investigations or cause public concern.
Sammy also thanked members of the public for providing information that enabled police to solve the case within a short period.
