Kuala lumpur: Police arrested a man at a hotel in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday to assist investigations into the burning and theft of copies of the Quran.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Negeri Sembilan Police Chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad reported that the 25-year-old suspect's arrest followed a public complaint about a fire near a field in Senawang on August 22. Investigations uncovered that the fire involved several copies of the Quran, and police later received a report at about 4.45 pm the same day regarding the theft of copies from a mosque in Forest Heights.

The suspect was detained at approximately 9.30 pm during a raid at a hotel in Chow Kit. During a search of the hotel room, police discovered two bags containing 16 copies of the Quran, three mobile phones, and the suspect's personal belongings.

Alzafny stated that all the recovered Qurans were believed to be taken without permission from mosques and surau in the Chow Kit area. Additionally, there is the possibility that some copies were obtained from a northern university, as indicated by a university's ownership stamp found on the books.

A search conducted at the suspect's family home in Senawang resulted in the seizure of 36 Quran covers from his room. Initial investigations have linked this discovery to the Quran-burning incident on August 22, and the case is being investigated under Sections 380 and 295 of the Penal Code.

Further checks revealed that the suspect has four prior criminal records and recently completed a two-month police supervision order.