'Sprinkled holy water on my face, slipped his hands inside my clothes and started touching me inappropriately'; actress speaks out about temple priest's alleged sexual misconduct

KUALA LUMPUR: Indian-origin actress and television host Lishalliny Kanaran has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against a temple priest in Malaysia. In an Instagram post, she revealed that the incident took place at a temple in Sepang on June 21, where an Indian priest allegedly assaulted her under the pretext of offering blessings.

The actress stated that she had gone alone to the Sri Mariamman Temple in Sepang. There, the priest instructed her on the rituals to be performed. While she was praying, the priest approached her, sprinkled what he claimed was "holy water," and gave her a sacred thread. He then asked her to come and meet him after her prayers. When she went to meet him, he splashed a strong-smelling liquid on her face and asked her to lift her Punjabi suit. When she refused, he scolded her. He then continued spraying the liquid on her face, claiming it was holy water brought from India.

The liquid made her eyes fill with tears, and the priest took advantage of the moment by slipping his hands inside her blouse, into her bra and touching her inappropriately. He allegedly claimed that she would receive blessings only if she submitted to him.

'Since then, I've been in trauma. I feel disgusted. Broken. I've cried every single night. I can't sleep because every time I close my eyes, it replays in my head. I didn't know who to tell. I was ashamed. I finally told my mother on 4th July after she came back. She was furious and immediately told my dad and my two brothers. That same day, we went and lodged a police report,' she wrote.

Sepang Police Chief Norhizam Bahman confirmed that the accused priest was temporarily serving at the temple. The actress also levelled accusations against the investigating officer and temple authorities, alleging that she was advised not to speak publicly about the assault.