A church and an Indian temple along Jalan Hamzah in Kota Baru were victims of sabotage in an incident which took place around 12.30am last night.

Following the incident, the windows on the second and third floor of the Kota Baru Methodist Church were smashed while the Arulmigu Siva Subramaniyar temple windows were cracked, according to Kelantan chief police Hasanuddin Hassan.

Though it was earlier reported that a “petrol bomb” had been thrown at the church, Hasanuddin said early investigations at the scene found two objects which appeared to be water filter components.

It is suspected that someone may have thrown the water filter components at the buildings.

“The suspect threw (the objects) from the flyover, from a distance between six to seven metres.

“The filter which we found had signs of being burnt,” he said to reporters while visiting the scene of the incident today.

He added that a pastor who lived in the church was the first to notice the incident.

According to early reports, the suspect is a man who used a Nissan Grand Livina car.

“The suspect was seen parked by the side of the flyover and throwing an object in the direction of the church before running away.

“I was made to understand that this is the second such incident at this church.

“We will investigate from every angle to identify the true motive of the suspect,” Hasanuddin said.

The case is being probed under Section 295 of the Penal Code for sabotage against a place of worship.

When asked about rumours that the suspect’s car met an accident with a motorcycle while driving away, Hasanuddin said the police have not received any reports on such an incident.

“That is why we ask those who were witnesses to the incident to come forward to help the police,” he said.