A UMPSA student was arrested after images allegedly showing Quran desecration went viral on Feb 24.
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has launched an internal probe after its student was detained by police over content allegedly insulting Islam that went viral on social media late Tuesday night.
In a statement today, the university said it viewed the matter seriously as it involved content touching on the sensitive elements of race, religion and royalty (3R).
“The university takes note of the spread of content on social media involving an individual believed to be linked to UMPSA that touches on the sensitivities of religion, race and the royal institution,” it said.
UMPSA stressed that it “will not compromise with any party that spreads false information or content that can create tension and disrupt harmony,” adding that a detailed internal investigation is underway.
It said disciplinary action would be taken if any student is found to have breached the Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Tatatertib Pelajar) 2024 regulations.
“The university urges all members of the UMPSA community and the public not to spread or share any content that touches on 3R sensitivities and to always practise ethics and responsibility in using social media,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Pahang police confirmed the arrest of the student to assist in investigations.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the suspect was detained early yesterday morning in Kuantan after the case was reported.
“Police have detained the student suspected of insulting Islam for further investigation,” he said when contacted by a Malay daily.
He added that police would apply for a remand order against the suspect.
The arrest followed the circulation of images on social media allegedly showing a man’s foot stepping on a copy of the Quran, along with screenshots of comments said to be insulting Prophet Muhammad.
The material reportedly went viral late on Feb 24 (Tuesday), prompting a report to be lodged with the Kuantan district police headquarters.
Since yesterday, images showing the foot of an adult male stepping on a copy of the Quran had circulated widely online, along with screenshots of a social media post.
Also circulating were photographs of the individual and screenshots of comments said to be insulting Prophet Muhammad.
Not long after, screenshots of a social media account believed to be linked to the individual also surfaced online, carrying a public apology in which the user expressed regret and described the act as “deeply wrong, disrespectful and hurtful”.
The case is being investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for injuring or defiling a place of worship or sacred object, which carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides for up to one year’s jail, a maximum RM50,000 fine, or both.
