A century-old Hindu temple has become latest target of the desecration of places of worship, this one in Central Seberang Perai.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy said several deities in the Muthumariamman Temple in Penanti Estate in Arakuda were destroyed last night.

The attacker is yet to be identified and appears to have used a wooden pole to hit the statues of the deities in the temple, he added.

Ramasamy said the attack on the temple comes after a similar incident in Ipoh last month, and speculated it may be due to the country's "heated political situation".