SINGAPORE, Aug 7 — A 27-year-old man linked to a viral video showing someone stepping on the Quran on a public bus has been charged in Singapore over a separate case involving alleged anti-Muslim remarks online.
The man was arrested here yesterday after being deported from Malaysia and is accused of posting videos containing insulting and profane comments against the Muslim community in Singapore, news outlet CNA reported.
He will be charged with insulting the religion of another person, an offence that carries up to five years’ jail, a fine, or both.
The man is also assisting police investigations into the Quran-stepping video, which triggered public anger after it circulated online.
The Singapore Police Force said it had received a report over the alleged online remarks on March 1, but the man had already left the country.
“With the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police, the man was deported from Malaysia on August 6, 2026, and was arrested by the police upon his arrival in Singapore on the same day,” police said.
In March, authorities ordered Meta to disable access in Singapore to the video showing a person stepping on the Quran under the Online Criminal Harms Act.
Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had said the man linked to the video was likely the same person who had previously uploaded similar content; he had been convicted in July last year and released from jail in December.
“The police take a serious view of acts that threaten racial and religious harmony in Singapore.
“Any person who makes remarks or acts in a manner which can cause enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between the different racial or religious groups in Singapore will be dealt with swiftly and firmly in accordance with the law,” the police said.
