KUALA LUMPUR – A university student was detained today after presenting himself at the district police headquarters with his father to apologise for a viral social media post allegedly showing him stepping on the Quran.
The 21-year-old was remanded for four days until February 28.
Kuantan police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the student’s father, who is in his 50s, lodged a police report earlier today over his son’s post.
“The suspect uploaded an image on the Threads social media platform that insulted the Quran. The complainant came to the police station with his son to apologise and expressed concern for his child’s safety following the post,” he said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the misuse of network facilities to transmit obscene, indecent, false, menacing, or offensive content.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Police are also investigating the student under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which relates to uttering words or making gestures with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person. This offence carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
In addition, the student is being probed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides for a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of RM5,000.
Earlier, an image circulated widely on social media alleging that the student from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) had stepped on the Quran.
UMPSA vice-chancellor Professor Dr Yatimah Alias said in a statement that the university would not tolerate the dissemination of false or hate-laden content and would provide full cooperation to the authorities.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Facebook that the government had instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take immediate action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
He added that MCMC would coordinate with the police to ensure comprehensive enforcement measures were implemented.
“The incident has sparked outrage across the country. Any act that touches on religious sensitivities and threatens public order is completely unacceptable,” he said. — February 25, 2026