KOTA KINABALU, July 16 -- Police have detained five secondary school students in connection with the desecration of a Christian prayer site in Penampang.

The boys, aged between 13 and 16, were apprehended in the Putatan area on Wednesday, The Star reported.

Penampang OCPD Superintendent Sammy Newton confirmed the arrests in a statement today.

He said that preliminary findings suggest the suspects were not motivated by a desire to insult any religion. Instead, the investigation indicates the group was focused on mindless vandalism and destruction.

The teenagers face investigation under two sections of the Penal Code. Section 427 covers mischief causing damage to property, while Section 295 deals specifically with destroying or defiling...