KUANTAN, March 3 — A 21-year-old student from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) appeared in the Sessions Court here today to face charges of defacing the Quran and posting obscene communications on social media last month.
The accused, S. Vikneswaran, pleaded not guilty to both charges before Judge Harmi Thamri Mohamad and opted for trial.
According to the charge sheet, Vikneswaran allegedly defaced the Quran, a sacred object in Islam, with the intention of insulting the religion at Jalan Gambang, Taman Seri Mahkota, around 1.30pm on February 22. This act falls under Section 295 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both if convicted.
In the second charge, the student is accused of using the Threads social media platform under the account name “ryandaselva” to create and transmit obscene communications with the intent to offend others. This charge is filed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(2) with a fine up to RM500,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both, and an additional RM5,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Prosecution was led by Pahang Director of Prosecutions Sharizat Ismail, assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Aisyah Abdul Wahab, while the accused was represented by lawyers Muhammad Amirull Afiqq Mohamad Lokman and Mohd Rusnizam Abdullah.
During proceedings, the prosecution requested bail of RM50,000, citing the seriousness of the offences and public concern. Defence counsel Muhammad Amirull Afiqq requested a lower bail, explaining that Vikneswaran is a final-year student supported by his father, a fish farmer earning RM5,000 monthly, and that the accused had previously received psychological treatment while in school. The court granted bail of RM10,000 for both charges and ordered the student to report monthly to the police. The case is set for mention again on April 8.
Vikneswaran had been detained on February 25 for assisting police investigations following reports that he insulted Islam on social media by stepping on the Quran.
The case has sparked public attention, highlighting the sensitivity of religious offences in Malaysia and the consequences of online misconduct. – Bernama
