MAN HELD OVER IDOLS AT SURAU
Man is believed to be ‘gila isim’ and gained deviant knowledge abroad, say police
POLICE have arrested a man in connection with the placement of three idols at Surau Sabilul Huda here last week. Klang Selatan police chief Assistant Commissioner Shamsul Amar Ramli said the investigations into the two incidents, which took place on Wednesday and Saturday, resulted in them nabbing a 37-year-old man.
The man was detained at his home, located 200m from the surau in Taman Pendamar Indah here.
Shamsul said investigations showed that the man was believed to have acted on his own in placing the idols at the surau.
“The suspect’s explanation was that he placed the Datuk Gong deity statue at the surau as he wanted Buddhists to come and pray there. Another two statues, believed to be Hindu idols, were placed at the surau to invite Hindus to come and pray there as well.
“The suspect claimed that he frequently dreamt that the Kaabah was surrounded by idols and believed that he needed to do the same thing at the surau.”
He said the man had admitted taking the idols from small temples or altars near his house.
He said the man was believed to be gila isim. The term gila isim is a Malay term for those suffering from mental illness, specifically those who studied deviant religious teachings or those who studied black magic.
The term does not exist in Islam, but is common in Malay communities when people who were trying to gain spiritual knowledge get trapped in deviant teachings, thus causing mental confusion and delusions.
He said this was believed to have happened overseas, as the man had just returned from a neighbouring country where he had been working and had gained deviant religious knowledge.
The man’s urine sample tested positive for methamphetamine. He has two offences: causing hurt in 1997 and theft in 2000.
“We will conduct a thorough investigation. We do not deny the possibility that the suspect may be suffering from mental problems. This has nothing to do with insulting Islam or inciting racial or religious sentiments.”
On Wednesday, residents of Taman Pendamar Indah were shocked when they found an idol placed next to the entrance of the Surau Sabilul Huda.
It was discovered by a surau official, who was there preparing for Asar prayers.
On Saturday, two idols were found at the surau’s entrance.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had condemned the act and said police had received reports on the matter.
“I have instructed the inspector-general of police to investigate this. Action must be taken against those responsible for committing this provocative act.
“Those responsible for stirring up tensions among the races and religions must be arrested, prosecuted and punished, if found guilty.”