In a shocking incident that has left the local community in Malacca, Malaysia, reeling, a man was apprehended for stealing twelve statues from a temple on June 12. The theft, which has been estimated to cost the temple between RM20,000 and RM30,000 (approximately S$6,000 to S$9,000), has raised concerns about security and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The theft was discovered by the temple’s directors as they were preparing to close for the evening. According to Li Yunjie, the deputy head of the temple’s youth group, the directors noticed the absence of several statues around 7 PM. Upon reviewing the CCTV footage, they identified a middle-aged man, a local resident, who had entered the temple earlier that afternoon. The footage revealed him packing the statues into three boxes before driving away.
Recovery Efforts and Community Support
With the assistance of local law enforcement, the alleged thief was apprehended, and it was revealed that he had discarded the statues into the sea. A collaborative search effort ensued, involving various community members who mobilised fishing boats to aid in the recovery. After three days of extensive searching, four statues were successfully retrieved, including a 30cm-tall statue of Tua Pek Kong, which holds significant importance for the temple and its activities.
Despite the recovery, the search parties faced challenges, as one of the Prince Nezha statues was found severely damaged, with a limb broken off. The temple has since announced plans to repurchase the missing statues, including those of Nezha and the Monkey King, which are vital to their religious practices.
Previous Incidents and Mental Health Concerns
This incident is not the first of its kind involving the alleged thief, who reportedly has a history of similar behaviour. Approximately six months prior, he had taken a Guan Yin statue from the temple without permission. After being caught, he was warned by the temple’s board of directors against repeating such actions. The temple has chosen not to pursue legal action against him this time, although they have indicated that he will face legal consequences if he commits another theft.
The temple remains open to the public, and the community continues to rally around it, highlighting the importance of these cultural and religious icons that have been part of the temple since its establishment in 1986. Many of the statues were crafted abroad, with some originating from China and Taiwan, further emphasising their cultural significance.
As the temple navigates the aftermath of this incident, it serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting cultural heritage and the importance of community support in times of crisis.