Missing diamond from temple recovered

Southwest police chief Supt Ismail Idris said the 200-year old diamond was found concealed under a pile of shattered glass by members of the temple management team while cleaning up the broken glass encasing.

The diamond was placed back on the goddess statue forehead, he said when contacted.

At 1pm yesterday, a 35-year-old man was badly beaten up by several devotees as they suspected him of attempting to steal the precious diamond.

They attacked the man as he was found holding a hammer that was allegedly used to smash the glass encasing.

Ismail said the missing diamond was not found on the man when the police carried out a body search on him yesterday.

He said the suspect, who suffered head injuries, was warded at the Penang Hospital and his condition was reported to be stable.