Singapore authorities believe the man seen in a viral video stepping on the Quran may be the same person who had been convicted for similar behaviour before. Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam shared this update on March 8 while speaking to reporters before a breakfast event in Khatib organised by Nee Soon GRC.
According to Mr Shanmugam, the individual had previously faced legal action for similar acts. He said the man was charged and convicted in July last year, served a jail sentence, and was later released in December.
Mr Shanmugam also mentioned that there were earlier concerns about the individual’s mental condition during that case.
He said, “When he was convicted in July last year, there was some evidence that he was mentally unwell. He is now overseas, and police will interview him when he returns.”
Video described as deeply offensive
The video has drawn strong reactions because it showed a man stepping on the Quran. Mr Shanmugam described the act as offensive and said the timing made it even more sensitive.
He said, “At any time it would have been offensive, let alone during Ramadan.”
Authorities believe the incident happened on a public bus in Singapore before the video was uploaded online.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said it had ordered Meta to disable access to posts that contained the video. While the original video is no longer available, it has been reposted and circulated again on other social media platforms.
The authorities said the video content may amount to an offence under Section 17F(4) of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990, which relates to insulting the religion of another person.
Police investigations into the case are ongoing.
Leaders speak out on religious respect
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim also commented on the issue at the same event.
He strongly criticised actions that insult religion and said such behaviour should not happen in Singapore.
Assoc Prof Faishal said actions that deliberately insult any religion have “no place in Singapore”.
He also explained that disrespect towards one religion can affect other communities in the country.
He said, “An insult to one religion affects all other religions and their communities, because it undermines the mutual respect that holds our society together.”
Assoc Prof Faishal added that Singapore’s social harmony must be protected and warned that such acts could damage the trust built in the country’s multiracial and multireligious society.
Middle East war and global impact
Mr Shanmugam also spoke about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and how it could affect countries around the world.
He said energy prices have already started to increase due to the situation.
“(Oil and gas prices have) already gone up, and they are likely to go up further, because some of the energy ministers from Gulf countries have talked about the situation. At least one has said there might be a stop to the flow of oil and gas,” he said.
He explained that many countries rely heavily on energy supplies, so rising prices could affect people, businesses and economies globally.
Mr Shanmugam also pointed out that there is still uncertainty about how long the war could continue. Earlier estimates suggested the conflict might last around three to four weeks, but recent statements indicate it could continue longer.
He said, “America and Israel probably know what the aims are, but from a public perspective, that is not clear to me; looking at the public statements, what the war aims are.”
Mr Shanmugam added that this creates a “substantial element of uncertainty” which is not good for both the Middle East and the rest of the world.
He also said the impact of war often spreads far beyond the countries directly involved.
“Wars usually are bad for people involved as well as others who are impacted. But in this case, it is quite a lot of people around the world affected,” he said.
