PETALING JAYA: An alleged act of stomping and defacing a copy of the Quran that recently surfaced online has drawn condemnation, with calls for a thorough investigation and legal action.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud described the act as uncivilised, extreme and a violation of the principles of the Rukun Negara.
He added that it was criminal and disrespectful, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said the act did not reflect the culture of Sabah, which values harmony in a multiracial and multi-religious society.
“I strongly condemn and denounce the uncivilised act of insulting the holy book of Muslims, the Quran, as circulated on social media recently, which shows a copy of the Quran allegedly being stepped on and defaced with insulting drawings.
“Any form of insult against religion cannot be taken lightly as it not only touches on the sensitivities of Muslims but also has the potential to disrupt harmony in Sabah’s plural society and across the country,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 11).
Mustapha said Malaysia was built on mutual respect among different religions and cultures, and acts that insult religion go against those values.
He said he fully supported action by the authorities, including the police and relevant agencies, to conduct a thorough investigation and take firm legal action against those involved.
“Tough action must be taken as a lesson and to ensure that the dignity of religion is always protected,” he said.
At the same time, he urged the public not to take matters into their own hands and to allow the authorities to carry out investigations fairly and transparently to safeguard stability, harmony and unity in Sabah and the country.
