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A holiday resort owner in Sedili Besar, near Kota Tinggi, who was remanded since Tuesday to facilitate the investigation into his allowing the resort’s surau to be used for a Buddhist religious ceremony, was released on police bail today.

Johor deputy police chief Ismail Yatim said the investigation papers of the case were, however, being finalised before submission to the public prosecutor for further action.

“We are also waiting for further directives from the public prosecutor while at the same time, monitoring all activities and public reaction pertaining to the case,” he told reporters in Kluang today.

Ismail, who heads the team formed to investigate the case, also confirmed that a small fire outbreak occurred at a storeroom at the resort.

He said the initial investigation showed no criminal element involved but the police forensic team and a fire and rescue team were thoroughly investigating the incident.

“We advise all parties not to be worried about the case as it is under police control, and to let the full investigation be carried out by the law enforcement authorities and the Johor Islamic Religious Department for further action,” he added.

The resort owner’s action had reportedly caused a furore among the fishing community in Sedili Besar after it was discovered by a visitor to the resort who wanted to perform his Asar prayers at the surau last Saturday.

Following the incident, the 45-year-old resort owner, a Singaporean with permanent resident status in Malaysia, was remanded for four days until today to assist in the probe.

- Bernama