Amos Atlantis

THE teen whose act of mischief with fire at a mosque in the East Coast led to $3.3 million in damage, is prepared to meet a mosque representative to say sorry at a family conference next week.

He is also expected to say what he will do to make amends.

The 14-year-old, who has a low IQ of 50, is still expected to be sentenced by the Juvenile Court after the conference; he is likely to be sent to the Singapore Boys’ Home or Muhammadiyah Welfare Home for a spell.

He has already admitted to setting two books alight at Masjid Kampung Siglap last Oct 6, an act which led to major damage. He also admitted to trespassing at Apex Harmony Lodge, a Pasir Ris nursing home, two days before.

Yesterday, Juvenile Court Judge Lim Keng Yeow told him the court would give him a chance to meet a mosque representative to say sorry, but this did not mean he would get away with a less severe court order.

He added: “You are not expected to compensate the mosque financially or completely, but there is surely something you could do… to put right the wrong.”

The boy’s father said he would advise his son to teach children at the mosque, since he was strong in religious knowledge.

“Saying sorry is definitely the right thing to do. I am glad the judge allows this to take place,” he said in Malay.