Several dozen cheated of their valuables under the guise of 'deity blessing'

At least 50 devotees in Johor Baru placed their jewellery and money worth approximately RM200,000 at a temple for blessings, only to discover that they had been deceived. Soh, one of the victims, alleged that the temple’s medium and treasurer took off with the stolen items. Soh, a steamboat restaurant owner, came across the temple last year and was suggested by a medium to return with his gold chain for blessings from the deities. Soh complied and followed the instructions to place the gold chain on the deity statue for an additional 108 days of blessing. However, when the time was up, the treasurer provided various excuses and blocked all communication with the devotees. At least 50 devotees were swindled, with some leaving their items at the temple for up to two years. Soh and the other victims, upset over losing their valuables, contacted the temple chairman who later claimed to be unaware of the situation. The victims decided to lodge a police report, resulting in the arrest of a 55-year-old temple committee member for cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

According to Soh, he discovered the temple located in Taman Austin Perdana while running an errand. Intrigued by the medium’s suggestion, he returned with his RM4,000 gold chain for a ritual. The medium then instructed him to place the chain on the deity statue, assuring him that it would be blessed for another 108 days. Soh complied, believing it was harmless. The temple’s treasurer, responsible for handling the devotees’ valuables, approached Soh and informed him that the gold chain needed to remain at the temple for the full blessings of the deity. However, once the time was up, the treasurer began making excuses and blocked the devotees’ communication.

All the victims were added to a text messaging group by the treasurer, who abruptly shut it down on September 23 and blocked their numbers. Soh eventually contacted the temple chairman, who instructed the devotees to retrieve their valuables on September 30. Much to their surprise, the temple doors and shutters were locked on the designated day, and the medium and treasurer were inaccessible. The frustrated devotees, some of whom worked in Singapore, took the matter to the police on October 1 and lodged a total of 28 reports.

Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat confirmed that a 55-year-old man, believed to be a member of the temple committee, was arrested on October 8. Investigations are ongoing under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating offenses. The victims expressed their dissatisfaction and sadness over losing their hard-earned valuables, some of which were heirlooms passed down from their ancestors.