More than 100 tombstones from a Muslim graveyard were found in a rubbish dump near a Chinese seafood restaurant, causing a minor stir among several government agencies in Butterworth.

A police report was lodged at 11.30pm on Saturday by a fishing enthusiast who urged a thorough investigation into the matter.

This sent the police and personnel from the fire and rescue services department as well as the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) scurrying to the scene yesterday.

NONE The discovery also led to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ( left ) calling an emergency press conference at 9.30pm at his office yesterday.

"We consider this a very serious matter," explained Lim.

He was accompanied by Penang chief police officer Ayub Yaakub, who said his team had located 110 tombstones near a Chinese restaurant selling lobsters at Pantai Bersih, Butterworth.

"The police and the MPSP have collected the stones and returned them to the Kubang Buaya mosque in Kampung Gajah, Butterworth, where they belong. Apparently, these were old stones (that had been) replaced with new ones," he said,

Lim said clearing work had been in progress around the mosque from April 7-8.

Ayub, who said the police had contacted all the mosques in the area for information, said workers had collected the garbage and the tombstones and left them near the restaurant.

"The tombstones should have been sent to the MPSP (for disposal), but perhaps the workers wanted the easiest way out or were told to move these to the seaside," he said.

Ayub also said the contractor, a Muslim, had admitted responsibility for the act.

"This is not the way to (dispose of) the tombstones ... In Islam, there is a way to deal with this. So we have discussed the matter with the mosque representatives and handed over the tombstones to them.

"We managed to deal with any speculation that might arise. We had to deal with this immediately as we did not want anyone to use this as an issue and create problems. The case has been resolved."

terengganu riot pantai batu buruk 140907 police cpo ayub yaakub 01 However, Ayub ( right ) advised mosque representatives to supervise contractors closely to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

"We hope no one will speculate or raise other issues (regarding the matter) as we have already discussed it with all sectors - mosques, Islamic Affairs Department and the MPSP. This is a non-issue," he stressed.

Authorities awaiting report

Lim thanked the police for their efficiency in resolving the case quickly.

He said the mosque which appointed the contractor would have to submit a report, following which the relevant authorities will consider any necessary action against the contractor.

Lim, however, pointed out it was "irresponsible" of the contractor to have disposed of the tombstones as he did.

This could have created many "unhealthy" issues or raised many questions among the people, he noted.

"Muslim tombstones and graves must be respected and the state government will look seriously into any situation involving these," Lim added.

"Fortunately, after police investigations, we found that it was due to a mistake by the contractor appointed by the mosque, and not due to any other reason."