Arson attacks ignites collective outrage

Several groups have roundly condemn the fire bomb attacks on three churches in the Klang Valley.

PKR leader Zaid Ibrahim said Umno and the government must take full responsibility for attacks on the churches.

"The irresponsible conduct of fanning emotions by Umno leaders has brought about this dangerous situation.

"What we see today confirms that this country is being governed not by engagement consultation, sophistication or persuasion but by brute and mob force," he said.

Zaid (left) said the government has shown a penchant for using force and flexing its authority in dealing with delicate issues.

"Take the case of the ban imposed on the Herald. They could easily have engaged in consultation with the church in Sabah and Sarawak.

"They should try to understand why the need to use the word Allah without any preconceived notions or prejudice.

"After all, they have been using the word Allah for many years before BN government acted to ban The Herald," said Zaid.

He explained that there are already laws against converting Muslims but Umno instead chose to politicise the sensitive issue.

"They want instant popularity so fanning the emotions of Muslims becomes legitimate... and when the court ruled otherwise they then fan the Muslims to oppose the ruling.

"The people of this country will not escape the scourge of Umno-led rule until they decide once and for all to dislodge this government in the next available opportunity.

Gerakan: Stop the violence!

Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Youn said that Malaysia had enjoyed peace and harmony for many years and the 'Allah' issue should not be allowed to jeopardise this.

"Everyone should cool down, and refrain from being too emotional. Wait for the authorities to resolve the case," he said.

He added that the attacks on churches would ruin the harmony and peace of society. He said such actions were unacceptable.

Chang, who is also the party's head of human rights and law bureau, urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent such incidents from escalating.

He said the government should get all parties involved, including religious scholars and experts, and find a solution to the issue as quickly as possible.

DAP: Government not doing enough

The party's elected representative for Kampung Tunku, Lau Weng San, said the government allowed the tense situation to fester.

"It has been worsening since the High Court's judgement on Dec 30, 2009. The government was practising double standards when it kept silent on the planned protests," he said.

"The government should pave the way for frank exchanges between Muslim and non-Muslim bodies to resolve contentious issues."

"Unfortunately1Malaysia is just a political gimmick to gain mileage via extravagant and fancy celebrations without sincere efforts to tackle the real issues," said Lau.

MCA: Destructive actions have no place in Malaysia

MCA president Ong Tee Keat said he was shocked and saddened to learn about the acts of terror and intimidation directed at churches.

In his blog posting, Ong said MCA leaders have been directed to go to the sites where the events took place to render assistance to the churches and worshippers.

Ong (right) branded the attacks as the cowardly actions of an irresponsible group of individuals who are out to sow the seeds of hatred.

He said the usage of the word ‘Allah' is best left to the Law to decide.

"We cannot allow anyone to create an impression that Malaysia condones or promotes fanaticism as it would affect foreign investment and tourism.

The police should act swiftly and effectively to catch those responsible for the attacks, and bring them to justice."

The MCA has generously allowed the Metro Tabernacle AG Church the use of Dewan San Choon in Wisma MCA to enable them to conduct their service this Sunday.

PAS: Settle differences through dialogue

Party youth leader Nasruddin Hassan in a statement said it regretted the attack on the churches which will complicate the 'Allah' issue.

He said Islam as a fair religion teaches its followers to practise diplomacy and settle differences through dialogue.

"Islam forbids destroying places of worships of other religion and we have been taught to respect the freedom of religion," said Nasruddin.

Suaram: Refrain from all forms of violence

The human rights NGO called for all parties to refrain from any form of violence in reaction to the ongoing controversy.

Its coordinator, John Liu questioned the police's inefficiency in dealing with such violence when they have often stopped candle light vigils and peaceful protests with lightning speed.

"Malaysia has ample laws to deal with such violence and destruction of property without having to resort to repressive laws like the ISA, the Police Act and the Sedition Act," he said.

PSM: Najib and Hishamuddin to blame

Parti Socialist Malaysia (PSM)'s central committee member A Sivarajan said the attacks are somehow related to the High Court ruling last week which ruled in favour of the Catholic weekly, The Herald using 'Allah' in its Malay-language section.

PSM believes that the irresponsible act was caused by the indirect blessings given by the Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister to protest against the ruling.

"The government is diverting the rakyat from many critical issues such as the rising prices of goods, GST, MACC, corruption, missing jet engines, MCA and the list goes on.

"It is also to create a climate of fear and a perceived threat to national security so as to pressure the courts in reversing its decision during the appeal," said Sivarajan.

MPF: Apprehend and punish the perpetrators

The Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) urges the authorities to either refuse or revoke the permit for the any planned demonstration to contain heightened emotions and sensitivities among Muslim quarters.

"This act of arson, committed presumably in the name of Islam desecrates the very religion it purports to protect. The Holy Quran unequivocally prohibits destroying the houses of worship of all religions, as warned in Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 40."

In a press release, its board of directors demanded that the authorities immediately conduct an impartial and thorough investigation to identify, apprehend and punish the perpetrators.

The Muslim NGO, also urged all Malaysians to empathise and stand in solidarity with the Christian community in their hour of grief and need.

CFM: An act of criminal intimidation

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) calls on the Government and all peace-loving Malaysians to stand against such violence and not to give way to extremists.

"Christians are a peace-loving people and so we will remain calm and rely on our police officers to investigate and to arrest the criminals involved and to protect all Malaysians against violence and criminal intimidation,"

Its chairman, Bishop Ng Moon Hing said, CFM is also concerned over the hacking of the judiciary website as it is an act of criminal intimidation against the bench and that act along with the violence against churches must not be condoned.

"Let us as Christians and with our fellow Malaysians pray that despite such atrocious acts perpetrated upon the churches good sense will prevail within us. Let us not allow those who want to foment animosity among the people and the religious communities to triumph in their dastardly plans," he said.

CPPS: Mature and open discussion please

The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) said the criminal and religiously motivated incidents are a troubling trend that started with the cow-head protest where religious sensitivities of the various communities were ignored and issues of religion not discussed openly.

Its chairman, Ramon Navaratnam (left) said the strong dissenting voices and misguided violent actions indicate disagreement and points to the dire need of addressing the issue in a civilised fashion to ensure the preservation of freedom of religion.

"Mature and open discussion should be encouraged at all times in the spirit of 1Malaysia to ensure such doubts, confusion and disagreement do not again arise.

This provides an opportunity and a challenge to the government to show its commitment to national unity and 1Malaysia as there are lessons to be learned from this depressing situation."

Yayasan 1Malaysia: Acts morally reprehensible

Chairman of Yayasan 1Malaysia, Chandra Muzaffar said the arson attacks are a morally reprehensible, despicable acts.

"The Qur'an explicitly urges people to protect all places of worship. No sane Muslim would indulge in acts that clearly violate the core teachings of the religion,"he said.
He said Yayasan 1Malaysia as an independent, non-profit foundation will spearhead activities and programmes that will engage all Malaysians in working towards national unity and the 1Malaysia concept.

Dapsy: Pakatan supporters told to remain calm

DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Chief Loke Siew Fook calls on all Malaysians especially Pakatan Rakyat supporters to remain calm and not retaliate in any manner that will escalate the situation.

He said any retaliation will only serve the narrow interest of the extremist elements in the country.

"Dapsy shares our solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in this very challenging period. The attacks on the churches are acts of the extremists and must be condemned by all peace-loving Malaysians,"

MCA Youth: Don't let mercury to rise further

MCA Youth urges all decent minded Malaysians not to let the mercury rise further, and pray in our own ways, that peace will prevail.

Its leader, Wee Ka Siong also calls on all political parties on both sides of the fence to use their resources and networking to urge Malaysians to be calm, and restore normalcy.

"We also want the police and the other relevant authorities to investigate these cases thoroughly, and increase patrols at places of worship throughout the country."

Bar Council: Malaysians must condemn acts

Malaysian Bar President, Ragunath Kesavan said the reported attacks against at least three churches is deplorable and that exhibit intolerance and demonstrate a very negative and worrying trend towards extreme disrespect and prejudice.

"Such behaviour is shocking and offensive. Right-minded Malaysians must condemn it as indecent and unacceptable."

Ragunath said the Malaysian Bar remained firm in its view that the most effective and progressive way of resolving disputes is to promote dialogue and an understanding of dissenting views among all the parties involved, regardless of how complex the issue.