A higher education student is charged with defiling the Quran and posting offensive content online, facing potential jail time and fines.
KUANTAN: A 21-year-old higher education institution student is set to face charges at the Sessions Court here today over the alleged desecration of the Quran.
The suspect, a student from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), is expected to be brought to the Kuantan Court Complex.
The Attorney General’s Chambers confirmed he will face two separate charges.
The first charge is under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a sacred object, specifically by stepping on the Quran with knowledge that the act insulted Islam.
This 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.
This relates to initiating an extremely offensive communication with intent to hurt others via the Threads application.
The second offence provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
The student was detained on Feb 25 to assist investigations for allegedly insulting Islam on social media.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said 82 police reports were lodged nationwide over the incident.
He added that investigations found sufficient evidence to recommend charges.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to its sensitive religious nature and potential impact on social harmony.