Healing the Wound Without Dividing the Nation, Says Dr Sathia

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent incident in Kuantan involving a young man accused of stepping on the Quran has deeply hurt the feelings of Muslims across the country, but the response must be guided by justice, wisdom and national unity — not anger.

Pengarah Jabatan Pilihan Raya Selangor, Dr Sathia Prakash Nadarajan, who is also Ketua Cabang Hulu Selangor, said Malaysians must first acknowledge the pain felt by the Muslim community.

“The Quran is not merely a book. It is sacred guidance for millions. Any act perceived as disrespect towards it will naturally trigger strong emotions,” he said in a statement.

However, the medical practitioner-turned-politician cautioned against emotional reactions that could further divide society.

“As a doctor, I have always believed that when a wound is fresh, the first duty is not to shout — it is to assess, stabilise, and prevent further damage.
The same principle applies to society,” he said.

According to reports, the accused individual is said to be a convert to Islam, and even his father was allegedly unaware of his conversion. If true, Dr Sathia said this raises serious concerns — not about religion itself, but about communication, emotional support and proper guidance.

“Conversion is a profound spiritual journey. It requires education, mentorship and a stable environment. When guidance is missing, confusion and immaturity can lead to reckless behaviour,” he said.

He stressed that disrespecting the Quran is wrong and must be properly investigated under the law.

“Islam upholds justice — not mob reaction, not collective punishment, not emotional verdicts,” he said.

At the same time, he emphasised that justice must be specific and not generalised.

“If a crime is committed, the individual answers for it — not the community he was born into, not the faith he came from, not the people who share his ethnicity,” he added.

Dr Sathia warned that hatred, if left unchecked, can spread rapidly — likening it to an infection.

“In medicine, infection spreads when a wound is not properly cleaned. Hatred is similar — if not controlled early, it spreads silently and destroys healthy tissue,” he said.

He also cautioned against premature judgments amplified by social media before investigations are complete.

“We must allow the authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation — including examining intent, possible provocation, mental or emotional instability, or external influence,” he said.

He noted that in Islamic jurisprudence, intention (niat) plays a crucial role in determining accountability.

Addressing the Muslim community, Dr Sathia acknowledged their pain but urged restraint.
“Respond in a way that reflects the strength and beauty of Islam — with dignity, patience and trust in the legal system,” he said.

To non-Muslim Malaysians, he called for understanding and respect.

“This is not a moment to be defensive or dismissive. Respect for Islam is part of respecting Malaysia’s social fabric,” he said.

Describing Malaysia as a multi-religious nation where harmony requires constant care, he reiterated his commitment to healing rather than inflaming tensions.

“As a doctor who has stepped into politics, my duty remains the same — to heal, not to inflame.

“Let the law take its course. Let investigations be thorough. Let justice be fair. And let Malaysians stand united — not fractured — by the actions of one confused individual.

“In moments like this, we do not prove our faith by anger. We prove it by character,” he said.