Church in Seremban attacked

The Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) church in Negri Sembilan was the latest target of an attempted arson, which left its front wooden doors charred.

This morning's attack brings to eight the total number of churches targeted since Friday.

Contacted later, Pastor Eddy Marsonyasir, 34, said he discovered the damage when he arrived at the church this morning.

"A few church members and I left the church at 11.30pm last night but when I came in this morning, I found the wooden door destroyed," he added.

Accompanied by DAP's Rasah MP Anthony Loke, the pastor later filed a report with the Seremban II police station.

Loke told Malaysiakini that there was no evidence of molotov cocktails having been used.

He also pointed out that the church sits only 1km from the Seremban district police headquarters.

"I strongly condemn the attack. This is part of a growing trend which is alarming.

"We urge the police to take stern action to safeguard churches and other houses of worship," he said.

Founded in East Malaysia, the church is frequented by Sabah and Sarawakian students, with sermons conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

Chemical substance used

Seremban district police chief Saiful Azly said a chemical substance was used in the attack.

"The fire and rescue services department is now trying the ascertain the kind of chemical that was used," he added when contacted.

According to Saiful, the incident most probably occurred between 1.30am and 8.30am. No arrests have been made so far.

The attacks on churches followed the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s ruling on Dec 31 to allow Catholic weekly Herald to use the word 'Allah' in its Malay-language edition.

However, the court granted the Home Ministry a stay of execution pending appeal a week later, after the attorney-general intervened, citing national interest.

To defuse tension, the government announced today that it will hold inter-faith dialogues between various religious leaders to reach a common understanding.

Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat politicians have condemned the attacks and appealed for calm.

Azmi Sharom from the Universiti Malaya criticised the ruling Umno for stoking Malay nationalism in order to protect its voter base, after 2008 elections where it lost unprecedented ground to the opposition.

"The soil has already been prepared by Umno... the tone has been very much about the Malays being under threat' Sharom said, adding that the "Allah" ban had no basis in theology.

"Instead of making a stand on principle, they (Umno) are trying to make sure they don't lose appeal to their voters even if it means they are appealing to a bunch of racists," he told AFP.