The director of a government department in Johor was arrested by police last night, believed to be over the theft of a rhinoceros horn belonging to the Royal Abu Bakar Museum in Johor Baru two months ago.

Johor police chief Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said the 46-year-old Wildlife and National Parks Department director, who was transferred to Johor in August, was detained after he surrendered himself at the JB Sentral police station about 9pm yesterday.

"The director is believed to have taken the rhino horn while he was leaving after attending a meeting at Sultan Ibrahim Building in Bukit Timbalan, about 2.30pm on Oct 19," Wan Ahmad Najmuddin told reporters today.

At the time, he said, the over 100-years-old rhino horn was placed out in the sun in front of the building.

He said the rhino horn was realised missing by the royal museum the same day and from the closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) recording, it was found that the department director had taken the horn.

The director then returned the rhino horn, which he had kept in his office, through his driver at 8.15am, two days later, he added.

According to Wan Ahmad Najmuddin, the rhino horn was still in good condition when it was returned.

He said police were now applying for a remand order on the director and the case was being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.

"We are investigating the director's intention of taking away the rhino. The incident should not have happened and we advise the public not to commit such an act," he added.

- Bernama