Police disable access to posts as government warns against spreading religiously offensive content
Singapore authorities are investigating a man believed to be behind a viral video showing him stepping on a Quran, an act officials say threatens the country’s religious harmony.
Authorities Identify Possible Perpetrator
Singapore’s Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the person behind a video depicting a man stepping on a Quran is likely the same individual who posted similar videos previously.
He noted that the man had been convicted in July 2025 and released in December, with evidence suggesting he may have been mentally unwell.
Police Action Taken Against Online Posts
Authorities issued five disabling directions to Meta under the Online Criminal Harms Act 2023.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the orders required the platform to block access to the posts in Singapore, and the video is no longer accessible to local users.
Video Believed Filmed on Public Bus
The incident is believed to have occurred on a public bus in Singapore.
In the footage, a man wearing black socks was seen flipping through the pages of a Quran with his feet and stepping on it while the book was placed on a bus seat.
Offensive Content Sparks Regional Attention
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said it had also received complaints from the public after the video resurfaced online.
Malaysian authorities noted that the individual involved was believed to be a Singaporean and worked with platforms including Threads, Facebook and TikTok to limit the video’s spread.
Authorities Warn Against Reposting
The government emphasised that sharing the video—even to condemn the act—can continue spreading harmful and offensive material.
Officials urged members of the public to report such content to authorities instead of reposting it online.
Singapore authorities have reaffirmed their zero-tolerance stance on acts that threaten racial and religious harmony. As investigations continue, officials stress the importance of responsible online behaviour and community vigilance to prevent offensive content from undermining social cohesion.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , MHA GOV (2026)
Keywords: K Shanmugam Quran Video, Singapore Online Criminal Harms Act, Maintenance Of Religious Harmony Act, Singapore Police Investigation, Religious Harmony Singapore
