Police arrest 19-year-old over alleged assault attempt at Batang Kali mosque

By Selangor Journal Team

SHAH ALAM, Feb 21 — Police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect following an alleged assault at a Batang Kali mosque captured on surveillance footage and widely circulated on social media.

Hulu Selangor district police chief Ahmad Faizal confirmed officers detained the local man hours after receiving a report of the incident at 8:19am today.

“The suspect is set to be brought before the Kuala Kubu Bharu Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (February 22) for a remand application to assist in the investigation,” he said in a statement today.

The case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Faizal urged anyone with information on the case to assist the investigation by contacting the Hulu Selangor police headquarters at 03-6065 1021 or their nearest police station.

The victim, a young girl, was allegedly assaulted while performing prayers at the women’s prayer section of Masjid Jamek Sungai Masin in Batang Kali.

The incident gained attention after footage surfaced online showing a man entering the women’s prayer area, seizing a victim from behind, and attempting to forcibly remove her from the mosque.

At the time, the young girl was praying alone in the row behind other women, who were unaware of the situation as they were in prostration.

According to Malay daily Berita Harian, additional footage allegedly showed the suspect struggling with the victim and attempting inappropriate physical contact before fleeing when she fought back.

This also prompted state executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Fahmi Ngah to strongly caution against attempts to portray mosques as unsafe following the incident.

He said painting mosques in a negative light is disrespectful to the Muslim community in Selangor.