A priceless brass statue of Buddha believed to be more than 1,000 years old has been stolen from a temple in Malaysia for the fifth time since 2004, a report said today.

The statue had been missing since September 14, said Tan Khai Beng, 54, a committee member of the Buppharam Thai Buddhist Temple in the northern resort island of Penang.

"The monks thought nothing of it at that time as the statue had been stolen four times before since 2004 but each time it would be returned by the thief within three to four days," he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

Gone for 'holiday'

"We are appealing to whoever who took the statue to return it as soon as possible," he added.

Tan said it came from neighbouring Thailand, adding that "bad luck is likely to befall the person who took the statue".

Tan said many devotees had asked about the missing statue and have been told that it had gone for a "holiday" and would return soon.

At least 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people are Muslim Malays and there are also large minority groups.