Volunteers from Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have begun patrolling church areas in the Klang Valley.
   
Ten volunteers had begun patrolling from 11pm yesterday in church areas in Kampung Pandan and Brickfields.

Deputy chief and working secretary of Kerja Badan Tarbiah Sejagat (Batas) Danny Azar said the patrol schedule was 11pm to 2am and 4am till dawn.
    
"We have started patrolling and we also meet church officials to identify ourselves," he said.

'Eyes and ears of the government'

Batas is among 130 NGOs which have committed to be the "eyes and ears" of the government to face any threat to Christian churches.

This is being done following three incidents of fire bombing at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati, the Assumption Church in Petaling Jaya and the Life Chapel Church in Damansara recently.
   
Among the NGOs involved are Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Persatuan Cina Muslim Malaysia (MACMA), Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), Pertubuhan Peribumi Semenanjung (Perkasa), Darussyifa, Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam
Malaysia (PKPIM), Kongres India Muslim Malaysia (Kimma), Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM) and Islamic Information and Services Foundation (IIS).
    
The initiative has roped in 60 volunteers.
    
Meanwhile, a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Brickfields, Angelina Soo, 28, said they were thankful to the Muslim NGOs and appreciated their care and sense of responsibility to ensure the security of churches.

- Bernama