A port worker was detained by police after trespassing and breaking several statues at a Hindu temple in Air Putih, Kemaman, yesterday.

The 29-year-old man was detained at the Sri Maha Mariamman Sabai temple at 6pm, about 30 minutes after going berserk at the temple, apparently after being told by an ‘invincible voice’ to do so.

Terengganu Police Chief Jamshah Mustapa said during 5.30pm incident, the man, who had barged into the temple, used his helmet to break to statues at the front portion of the temple before entering the temple to break more statues.

The Malay man who arrived at the temple on a motorcycle and wearing his uniform had also broken the front door of the temple to gain entry into the temple where he had damaged eight statues.

“The man from Kampung Bukit Kuang had used a parang that he found in the temple to break some of the statues inside the temple.

“During the incident there were two priests and a temple committee member but they were not harmed,” he told reporters in Kuala Terengganu today.

Jamshah said the man, believed to be mentally unstable, would be referred to the Kemaman Hospital to determine his condition.

“The man claimed that he heard voices on his way home, urging him to go to the temple and break the statues,” he said.

He urged everyone to remain calm and not blow up or politicise the issue, to avoid the situation getting out of hand.

- Bernama