Former Soldier Turned Homeless Man Who Attacked Imam at Kuantan Mosque Tests Positive for Drugs

By Lara Kramer  •  31 Mar 2023 in News

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According to recent reports, a 37-year-old man interrupted the morning prayers on March 26 at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque in Kuantan, Malaysia, and assaulted the imam for mentioning his name during the recital of a Quranic verse.

The defendant was charged with violating Section 296 of the Criminal Code for interfering with a religious event and with drug possession in violation of Part 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.

The accused, who was dressed in a traditional purple baju melayu and black trousers, is shown in a viral video pushing past other worshippers to reach the front row where the imam stood. He made an attempt to attack the imam with his slippers from behind him.

Nevertheless, the imam escaped the attack before the other worshippers and mosque security apprehended him and turned him over to the police. The incident is said to have occurred at around 6:20 a.m.

Lelaki serang imam ketika solat Subuh di sebuah Masjid di Kuantan 26 Mac lalu positif dadah jenis amphetamine dan methamphetamine

Suspek akan dituduh di Mahkamah esok kerana lakukan kacau ganggu solat di rumah ibadat.

Suspek 37 tahun kini dlm pengawasan unit psikiatri HTAA. pic.twitter.com/Qsm5mkmbQ4

— Mohd Redzuan Abdul Manap (@redzuanNewsMPB) March 30, 2023

Further investigation has revealed that the suspect is a former soldier who is currently homeless. According to NST, he used to frequent the area around the mosque and Jalan Mahkota, where he also spent the night .

Test results for the suspect’s system showed traces of amphetamine and methamphetamine, as stated by police, who believed he was under the influence of drugs during the incident, before which the suspect allegedly experienced hallucinations and heard the imam calling out his name.

He has been referred for a mental assessment to the psychiatric section at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital and is expected to show up in court today.