Cover image via @lishallinykanaran (Instagram)
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Lishalliny Kanaran, an actress and former Miss Grand Malaysia, has alleged in a recent Instagram post that she was molested by a Hindu temple priest while attending prayers alone in Sepang
In the post uploaded earlier this month, the 28-year-old detailed how what was meant to be a spiritual moment instead left her traumatised.
Speaking to SAYS, she shared further details about the police report she lodged, how the temple management responded, and why she chose to go public despite being advised not to.
According to Lishalliny, the alleged incident took place on 21 June
She had been visiting the temple regularly in recent weeks to learn how to pray and reconnect with her faith. That day, with her mother away in India, she went to the temple alone.
"There's a priest there who would usually guide me through the rituals, since I'm new to all this," she wrote, adding that she appreciated his help.
"On that day, while I was praying, he approached me and told me he had some holy water and a protective string to tie for me; a blessing, he said. He asked me to see him after my prayers.
"Just like he said, once I finished praying, I went to him. It was a Saturday, so the temple was crowded. He was the only one doing the individual blessings and rituals, so he told me to wait. I waited for about an hour and a half.
"Eventually, he told me to follow him. He took the holy water and the string and walked toward the office. Even as I followed, something didn't feel right. Something in my gut was uneasy," Lishalliny wrote.
She said the priest eventually took her into an office, added a strong-smelling liquid to holy water, and splashed it repeatedly on her face.
"He said it was from India, and that they don't usually give it to 'ordinary people'. He kept splashing that water on my face, so much that my eyes stung and I couldn't even open them.
"Then, he asked me to lift my Punjabi suit. I refused. He kept insisting it was 'for my good', but I told him I couldn't because my blouse was tight. He got angry and scolded me, asking what kind of person dresses tight like that. He splashed the water again and stood behind me.
"He kept murmuring something I couldn't understand — prayers, maybe — and suddenly, he held my head and continued murmuring while touching me.
"Then, without warning, he put his hands inside my blouse, into my bra, and started touching me inappropriately. He said it would be a 'blessing' if I did 'it' with him because he serves God. My brain knew everything about that moment was wrong, yet I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I froze.
"I won't go into more detail. But I was molested by that priest. And I couldn't react," Lishalliny wrote, adding that what hurt her the most was being violated in the one place she thought she'd find peace.
Lishalliny eventually managed to flee, but before she left, the priest allegedly told her, "This week will be a lucky week for you. I've done this for you."
Lishalliny said she lodged a police report at the Sepang district police headquarters on 4 July after her mother returned from India
Initially, her family felt that progress was slow.
But she shared with SAYS that after Sepang district police chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman personally stepped in, the investigation has picked up pace.
In a statement issued on 8 July, Norhizam confirmed the case is being investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code for outrage of modesty.
He said the suspect is an Indian national who was temporarily filling in for the temple's resident priest, who is currently abroad.
"The suspect's modus operandi was allegedly to sprinkle holy water on the victim's face and body before proceeding to molest her," the statement read.
While speaking to SAYS, Lishalliny shared that the suspect's passport and visa have been blocked, and authorities are actively tracking his whereabouts.
After lodging the police report, Lishalliny and her family went to the temple to confront the management, but she alleges they were met with indifference
According to her, all the temple management seemed to care about was the temple's reputation.
"Their immediate concern was not about what had happened to me but rather about protecting the temple's name and reputation," Lishalliny told SAYS.
She shared that the management claimed the priest was no longer there, and that he had previously been reported for similar misconduct.
"That was shocking and heartbreaking because it showed that they were aware and still let him go," she said, adding that the temple chairman claimed he had only met the priest once and didn't know where he had gone.
The chairman also told her that he had "spoken to the DSP", which Lishalliny saw as a move to protect himself rather than support the investigation.
In her post, which has since been picked up by the media, Lishalliny also claimed that an investigating officer had warned her against talking about the incident
"Don't post anything online. If you do, it'll be your fault. You'll be blamed," he allegedly told her.
But she said she could no longer stay silent.
"They tried to talk me out of it, talk me into silence… I'm not writing this to victimise myself. I'm writing this to voice out so that anyone else who has gone through something like this knows — you are not to blame."
With over 90,000 followers on Instagram and a background in pageantry, TV, and acting, Lishalliny is no stranger to public scrutiny, but this time, she chose to speak out not for attention, but in defiance of it.
Following her post, Lishalliny received both praise and public backlash, including from individuals who attempted to blame her for the incident based on her outfits and public image
In response, she posted a photo of what she actually wore on the day of the incident: a full-length, covered Punjabi suit, and wrote:
"When I said 'my blouse is tight', it wasn't an outfit complaint. It was a subtle no, a refusal made out of fear, shock, and survival instinct.
"To those twisting my words or judging my clothes, violation has nothing to do with attire. Even if I had worn something 'tight', that still wouldn't have given anyone the right or consent. Stop shifting blame. Start holding perpetrators accountable."
When asked how she's coping, Lishalliny was candid
The emotional toll, she said, is ongoing, and healing doesn't come neatly wrapped in closure.
"I'm exhausted, mentally and emotionally. I'm trying to get through each day, but I often wake up feeling like I have no strength left," she said.
"The trauma is real, and I'm not pretending to be strong. But I am taking steps, slowly, to regain control over my life. Some days are better than others," she added.
Despite her own pain, she wanted to use this moment to speak to others who may be carrying a similar kind of silence.
In a message to survivors, she shared with SAYS: "To any girl, woman, and man who has been through something like this, it is not your fault. Please don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Whether it happened at home, at work, or in a place of worship, your pain is valid, and you deserve to be heard."
Her intention, she said, was never about gaining attention, but about making sure others don't feel as alone as she once did.
"I'm not sharing my story for sympathy or attention. I'm sharing it because I know how isolating this feels. If my voice can help even one person feel less alone or more empowered to speak up, then I've done the right thing. And then this pain wasn't for nothing," she said.
To those still in the thick of it — still hurting and rebuilding, the former pageant winner had one final reminder: "You don't have to be okay overnight.
"I'm still not. I'm still trying to find my way. Just don't let shame silence you. I'm here if you need someone. You are not alone."
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
