The Johor police have arrested a 69-year-old Singaporean who was caught urinating near a prayer room at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI), which is linked to the Woodlands Causeway.
Earlier On Tuesday (9 May), a video surfaced on Facebook, showing the man standing at the ablution area, believed to be urinating before being confronted by another man about his behaviour.
In the video, a male voice can be heard scolding the elderly man, possibly the person who recorded the clip, stating that the room is for people to pray and he should show respect.
Several netizens have condemned the man’s actions, while some acknowledged that commuters may get stuck at the checkpoint, but they should still show respect to other religions.
Meanwhile, some comment suggest that people should not make a fuss and that the affected area should be cleaned with water.
“We are the real and most beautiful monotheistic religion on the face of the earth. Lets portray and uphold it as such.”
Johor MB confirmed the suspect arrested by police
Some netizens had also lodged a complaint with Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who has been inspecting the efficiency of the CIQ complex frequently.
Responding to the netizens’ queries, Onn Hafiz confirmed that the suspect was apprehended by the police on the same day in the evening.
He also shared an infographic which stated that under Penal Code section 295, it is an offense to destroy, damage, or defile any place of worship.
If convicted, the offender may face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
The suspect remanded for three days
The Chief of South Johor Bahru District Police, Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat, confirmed that the police received a report on Tuesday, at approximately 4:36 pm, regarding a man behaving inappropriately at the ablution area of the BSI Complex.
“The police have arrested a 69-year-old foreign male suspect. The investigation found that the suspect had no past criminal records and tested negative on urine screening.”
“The remand of the suspect who behaved inappropriately (urinated) in the prayer room at CIQ has been allowed for three days starting from today (10 May) until Friday, ” said Raub Selamat.
He advised the public not to engage in any behaviour that may cause a disturbance to public tranquillity.
Recently, another incident was reported at the BSI complex where a woman was allegedly caught urinating behind a closed counter. The Johor Immigration Department is currently investigating the matter.
