Man arrested in Chow Kit hotel over Quran burning, theft investigations

Kuala Lumpur police apprehended a 25-year-old man on August 25, 2023, at a hotel in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, as part of investigations into alleged Quran burning and theft incidents. Negeri Sembilan Police Chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad disclosed that the suspect was apprehended following a public report about a fire near a field in Senawang on August 22.

According to Ahmad, investigations uncovered that the fire involved multiple copies of the Quran. Later that day, police received a report around 4:45 PM about the theft of Quranic scriptures from a mosque in Forest Heights. Subsequently, the suspect was arrested at approximately 9:30 PM during a raid at the hotel in Chow Kit.

During the search of the hotel room, police recovered two bags containing 16 Quranic copies and seized three mobile phones along with the suspect's personal belongings. Ahmad stated that all the Quranic copies found in the suspect's possession were believed to have been obtained without permission from mosques and masjids in the Chow Kit area. Ahmad hinted at the possibility of some copies being taken from a university in the north, based on the discovery of the university's ownership stamp during the investigation.

In addition to the hotel raid, police conducted a search at the suspect's family home in Senawang on the same day, resulting in the seizure of 36 Quranic covers from the suspect's room. Ahmad revealed that initial investigations indicated a connection between the Quran-burning incident on August 22 and the current case, with the investigation being conducted under Sections 380 and 295 of the Penal Code. Ahmad disclosed that the suspect had a prior criminal record, having just completed a two-month police supervision order.