SHAH ALAM – Medical doctor and social media influencer Dr S. Malar Santhi has strongly condemned the alleged desecration of the Al-Quran and called for legal action against the individual responsible.
In a video statement posted on Instagram, Dr Malar expressed solidarity with the Muslim community following an incident involving a university student accused of stepping on the holy book.
She described the act as unacceptable and urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation without delay.
“Together with Malaysians and Muslims worldwide, I demand an immediate and rigorous investigation and legal action.
“We do not agree for this case to be dragged on for years until it is forgotten,” she said.
Speaking as a representative of the Hindu community in Malaysia, Dr Malar apologised for the incident and stressed that the actions of the individual did not reflect Hindu teachings or Indian cultural values.
“This act does not represent the practices or culture of the Indian community, nor the Hindu faith.
“Even stepping on a blank sheet of paper or a school notebook would be considered highly disrespectful,” she added.
She explained that, culturally, stepping on any book or written material is regarded as impolite and inappropriate in Hindu tradition.
She urged members of the Indian community to collectively denounce the act and support firm legal action against the perpetrator.
“To all Indians, let us come together and make it clear that we do not accept what was done. We also call for the strictest legal action to be taken,” she said.
Dr Malar also extended her solidarity to Muslims observing Ramadan, assuring them that the Hindu community stands with them in condemning all forms of religious insult.
Earlier, police remanded a 21-year-old male student from a public university in Kuantan after he allegedly posted images of himself stepping on the Al-Quran and sharing posts insulting Prophet Muhammad.
The remand, granted by the Sessions Court, has been extended until Tuesday to allow investigations to continue.
Kuantan District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Ashari Abu Samah said authorities had seized a copy of the Al-Quran believed to have been used by the suspect.
The case is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.