Donations meant to be used to upkeep Sultan Mosque and its various programmes were pilfered away by a former worker of the mosque, who knew exactly where it would be kept.
The Straits Times reports that 47-year-old Abdul Salim Aziz has since been sentenced to two years and three months in jail for breaking into his former workplace and stealing about $4,000 in cash from the historic mosque.
Abdul Salam had been in the employment of the mosque last year as a cleaner, and learned that his colleagues would keep money in a storeroom on the first floor at times. He also knew that the storeroom could not be locked.
In the wee hours of Aug 8 this year, he climbed into the mosque and used a long robe to cover his face while he made his way to the storeroom. Four plastic bags full of money were taken, as well as his personal belongings which he left there even after he stopped working at the mosque.
Later on, he counted the money in the plastic bags, which totalled about $4,000. He went over to Indonesia with the money and gave them to his wife.
It was only on Aug 11 that the mosque’s workers realised the money was gone. CCTV footage revealed that it was Abdul Salam who stole the money, and a police report was lodged. He was arrested at Changi Airport 10 days after he stole the money, while a sum of $2,150 was recovered from him.
In court, the prosecution pushed for a sentence that would be able to send a message that offences against places of worship will not be tolerated.
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