Penang: Thief Bashed For Stealing Goddess Of Mercy's Diamonds
A man attempting to steal from the Goddess of Mercy was unforgivingly beaten up by her devotees instead.
By Mei Mei Chu — 30 Jul 2013, 05:02 PM — Updated over 11 years ago
200-year-old diamond stolen from Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue in Kong Hock Keong temple, Penang
A 200-year-old diamond was reported stolen from the Goddess of Mercy Temple in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling at 1.10pm on Monday.
malaysiandigest.com
200-year-old diamond stolen from Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue in Kong Hock Keong temple in Penang.
Image via asiarediscovery.comThe diamond is considered a priceless artifact as it had been in the temple since it was built more than two centuries ago.
themalaymailonline.com
The Goddess of Mercy Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang, dating back to the 1800s.
thestar.com.myThe suspect allegedly used a hammer to take off the diamond from the Kuan Yin statue's forehead
The suspect allegedly used a hammer to take off the diamond from the Kuan Yin statues's forehead.
Image via imgur.comIt was believed that the suspect, a Chinese man, broke the glass pane housing the statue of the Kuan Yin deity with a hammer and took the diamond off the forehead of the deity’s statue.
malaysiaedition.net
The suspect, a 35-year-old man, was beaten up by temple devotees
A 35-year-old man who allegedly tried to steal some 200-year-old diamonds from the Goddess of Mercy Temple in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling here was beaten up before being arrested.
thestar.com.my“Several devotees praying outside heard the glass panel shatter and quickly went to investigate. They saw the man fleeing and gave chase. “When they caught him, they beat him up,” temple’s operations director said.
thestar.com.my“We then called the police and he was subsequently arrested. This is the first time that such a thing has happened in the temple,” he said.
thestar.com.myIt was later found that the robbery attempt failed, the diamonds are still intact
It was later found that the robbery attempt failed, the diamonds are still intact.
Image via imgur.comThe diamonds on the forehead of the Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) statue at the 213-year-old temple in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling are still intact.
thestar.com.myThere are about 30 stones set on a metal frame affixed on the forehead of the statue.
thestar.com.myBut money in the donation box is missing
He added that money had been stolen from the donation box before but nothing like this had ever happened. “I believe the man had an accomplice as the suspect’s handphone kept ringing at that time.
thestar.com.myKong Hock Keong board of trustees chairman says they are considering to beef up security
Kong Hock Keong board of trustees chairman says they are considering to beef up security.
Image via imgur.comKong Hock Keong board of trustees chairman Datuk Lam Wu Chong said the diamonds are not stolen and were not removed during the failed robbery attempt on Monday afternoon.
thestar.com.myHe added that the trustees would discuss about the need to fix CCTV cameras and hiring security guards during a meeting on Aug 6.
thestar.com.myGeorge Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng says the suspect was beaten up by at least three men
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said the man had been sent to the Penang Hospital for treatment, adding that he was beaten up by at least three men.
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