BALIK PULAU: The Penang police are tracking down perpetrators linked to desecrating statues of Hindu deities at temples in the state.
According to state police chief Datuk Abdul Ghafar Rajab (pix), the police were investigating the motive behind the crime.
Abdul Ghafar said the police had initiated a special task force led by state police deputy chief Datuk A. Thaiveegan to crack down cases of vandalism on Hindu deities.
"Based on our initial investigations, we believe the suspects do not have any intention of stealing the statues or other valuable assets.
"It might be related to land acquisition pertaining to a temple," he said this at the farewell ceremony of former Southwest District police chief Supt Lai Fah Hin and witnessed the handing over of duties involving new district police chief Supt Anuar Omar here.
In the span of two months, four temples had been vandalised with the first being a Hindu temple in Penanti Estate, Ara Kuda, early last month.
On Monday, a temple in Jalan Tengku Kudin, George Town, became the fourth to be vandalised.
All four temples were built more than 80 years ago. The temple in Penanti Estate is more than 100 years old.
The cases are investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a place of worship with intent to insult a religion. - Bernama
