Quran desecration case: No record of conversion in Pahang

KUANTAN – The Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) has confirmed that a public university student accused of stepping on the Quran and insulting Prophet Muhammad has no record of conversion to Islam in the state.

Pahang Chief Registrar of Converts Dr Asmadi Abdul Rahman said database checks showed that the individual’s name is not listed as a registered convert under MUIP’s supervision.

He said cross-checks were also carried out with religious authorities in several other states for further verification.

“So far, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have also confirmed that there is no record of conversion for the student.

“For other states, we have yet to receive official feedback regarding his registration status,” he told Sinar Harian on Tuesday.

Asmadi added that his office had contacted independent preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung for clarification over his earlier claim.

“He has yet to respond,” he said.

The religious status of the 21-year-old came into question after Firdaus claimed that the man had recited the syahadah before him on April 25 last year.

According to Firdaus, the student had reached out to him via Instagram and was persistent in seeking guidance to embrace Islam.

Earlier, K. Vikneswaran pleaded not guilty at the Kuantan Sessions Court to two charges related to desecrating the Quran and posting grossly offensive content on social media.

On Feb 25, the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) student was detained to assist investigations into allegations of insulting Islam online.