By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Oct 4: A habitual offender has been detained by the police yesterday evening for allegedly slapping and punching an imam of a surau in Kampung Tiris, Bekenu.
The 40-year-old male suspect was picked up by a team of Miri Criminal Investigation (CID) Department officers at around 10pm.
The arrest was made following a report lodged by the victim.
According to sources, the alleged incident occurred around 5.30am Monday (Sept 30) after the imam approached and told the suspect that he had performed the prayers wrongly.
Furious, the suspect was understood to have slapped and punched the imam.
“He allegedly strangled the imam, but fortunately several villagers who were at the surau that morning rushed to the two men and eventually managed to break up the fight.
“However, the commotion did not end there, as the imam, on his way back after the morning prayer, was allegedly threatened by the suspect,” sources said.
Fearing for his safety, the imam had lodged a police report at Bekenu police station.
Further checks revealed that the suspect’s house was located adjacent to the imam’s house.
The case is being investigated under Section 506 for criminal intimidation. — DayakDaily
