BINTULU: Police arrested a local man for allegedly trespassing into the Kemunting Muslim cemetery along Jalan Sebiew here and desecrated 51 graves with paint.
Bintulu police chief Supt Batholomew Umpit confirmed that a police report was received around 7.15 am on Monday (July 24).
A total of 51 graves were defaced. Out of these, 41 graves had been vandalised with blue paint and the remaining 10 with red paint.
“Our team managed to arrest a 40-something man suspected to be behind the crime.
“He is currently remanded until July 28 under Section 297/427 of the Penal Code for trespassing into a burial place and committing mischief on property.
The suspect faces a one-year imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Batholomew urged the public not to speculate on the incident or spread rumours.
He appealed to those with credible information on the incident to contact investigating officer Insp Muhammad Hafizuddin Zaidi at 014-6066404 or the Bintulu police operations room at 086-318304.
Grave vandalism is a heinous crime that not only desecrates the resting places of the dead but also emotionally affects the grieving families.
