Kuantan: A higher education institution (IPT) student suspected of stepping on the Quran and sharing the act on social media will be charged at the Sessions Court here today. The 21-year-old is expected to be brought to the Kuantan Court Complex at about 8am and will face two charges.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) announced yesterday that the student will be charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a sacred object, namely the Quran, by stepping on it with the knowledge that the act was an insult to Islam. This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.

In addition to this, the student will be charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for initiating an extremely offensive communication with the intent to hurt others via the Threads application. This offence provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

On February 25, the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) student was detained to assist investigations for allegedly insulting Islam on social media. Yesterday, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman stated that 82 police reports had been lodged nationwide over the matter, and investigations found sufficient evidence to recommend charges.

The case has attracted widespread attention due to its involvement in a sensitive religious issue that could potentially affect social harmony.