Pahang religious council denies student in Quran controversy a convert

2026-03-03 - 10:34

University student S Vikneswaran claimed trial to two charges in the Kuantan sessions court. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Pahang’s religious council has dismissed allegations that a university student who was charged earlier today with defiling a Quran had converted to Islam, as claimed by an independent preacher. The Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) deputy CEO Asmadi Abdul Rahman said he found no record that S Vikneswaran was a convert, Berita Harian reported. “Nor do we have any information that the student embraced Islam in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, or Negeri Sembilan,” he was quoted as saying. Asmadi, who is also Pahang’s chief registrar of converts, said the council contacted independent preacher Firdaus Wong, who had made the claim, to clarify the allegation but had not yet received a response. “In Pahang, every individual who converts to Islam must follow a three-day intensive course and will be guided by a senior convert, especially to perform prayers.” Firdaus, however, defended his earlier claim and uploaded a series of screenshots as proof. In a Facebook post, Firdaus said that one Ryan Vikneswaran had been in touch with him on June 19, 2024. Firdaus said Vikneswaran informed him on Nov 13, 2024, that he was ready to convert. Vikneswaran purportedly contacted him on April 20, 2025, asking Firdaus to witness him taking his “shahadah” for a second time. Firdaus said Vikneswaran requested to be called “Zain” after the declaration of faith. He also said the last time Vikneswaran contacted him was on Nov 28, 2025, and that the latter’s lawyer informed him that while his client admitted to being in contact with the preacher, he did not admit to having embraced Islam. Vikneswaran, a Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah student, pleaded not guilty today to defiling a copy of the Quran by stepping on it. The charge was framed under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a sacred object with the intention of insulting Islam, which is punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine or both, upon conviction. Vikneswaran also claimed trial to the improper use of network facilities by uploading a picture of himself stepping on the Quran on social media. The charge was framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides for a maximum fine of RM500,000, up to two years in jail or both, upon conviction.