Sabahans want quick action for attacks on churches

Sabahans are demanding that swift action be taken against the perpetrators of a string of attacks against churches and other places of worship in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

They are also upset over official complacency in the face of the number of these sporadic attacks which have heightened public tension in the country.

Non-Muslims form the majority in Sabah, as in Sarawak, with Christians forming the single biggest number by faith denomination.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secretary-general Teo Chee Kang, leading the call for quick action, urged the police to treat the fire-bombing of churches as a paramount case in order to "bring the culprits to justice quickly and curb more such incidents".

He wondered why the ISA (Internal Security Act) is not being used against the attackers since the law is still in the books.

"Failure to act, and act in time, will encourage more (of) such acts now and in the future," warned Teo.

The Upko (United PasokMomogun KadazanDusunMurut Organisation) likewise wants immediate action to be taken against those who organised the attacks against the churches as well as those who perpetrated the incidents.

"We view the matter very seriously," said its youth leader Ewon Benedict in a statement condemning continuing acts of desecration against places of worship in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

"Malaysia should continue to be a country that respects the religious rights of every citizen."

'Leave no stone unturned'

Agriculture and Food Industry assistant minister Bobbey Suan fears "retaliation" if the authorities don't act quickly enough against those who are carrying out fire-bombings and acts of vandalism against churches in the country.

Penampang Umno chief John Ambrose called on the police to be serious in their efforts to investigate the attacks on churches in Peninsular Malaysia.

"It is hoped that no stone would be left un-turned as the situation is being taken advantage of by certain elements out to destroy the stability of the nation," said Ambrose.

"It is important for Christians to remain calm and refrain from actions that could only aggravate the situation. They should refrain from forwarding text messages that are baseless."
Philip Lasimbang, political secretary to Federal Minister Bernard Giluk Dompok, noted that the attacks had rallied the faithful together.

"For me, I hope we can pray for this (attacks) not to go further," said Lasimbang in urging quick action on the part of the authorities.

"It is really unprecedented that this (attacks) happened. We are shocked that it has reached this level."

‘Work of uncivilised and traitors'

Sepanggar Umno Chief Jumat Idris labels the attacks on the churches as "the work of people who are uncivilised and traitors".

"I appeal to the people in Sabah to not be influenced by what is happening in Peninsular Malaysia," said Jumat in a brief statement urging swifter police action against those who carried out the attacks.

"The unity and harmony of the people must be preserved at all times."

Pakatan Rakyat head for Sabah and Sarawak, Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan (right), cautioned Christians against retaliating for the attacks on their places of worship. He made the call while urging police to speed-up their probe and hold those people involved accountable for their actions.

"The fire-bombing of the churches in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak is a test case for 1Malaysia," said Jeffrey in wondering why the police have not acted so far.

"If a small group is allowed to force the will of a certain group on another group, Malaysia will be a failed nation."

Sabah police meanwhile pledged that they will deal firmly with any copycat attacks on places of worship in the state. The fear is that illegal immigrants will take advantage of the situation to "endear themselves to local Muslims and win their sympathy".

This happened in 1985 when the Muslim-led Berjaya Government fell and illegal immigrants were implicated in the riots that followed. There is a history of Muslim-Christian hostility in the neighbouring southern Philippines.

‘Muslim-Christian marriages a bulwark'

"The police are duty-bound to maintain security and public order," said state police commissioner Noor Rashid Ibrahim. He said there were no signs of any tensions among ethnic and religious groups in the state following the attacks on churches in Peninsular Malaysia.

Noor Rashid cited the high number of Muslim-Christian marriages in the state as a bulwark against religious tension in the state.

City police chief Ahmad Sofi Zakaria said that the police will continue to monitor churches and mosques for several more weeks.

In Lahad Datu, police chief Shamsudin Mat has warned "irresponsible elements" against committing any treacherous acts towards places of worship. He advised the people to remain calm as the government is "addressing the problem".

Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman (left) confirmed the local security situation as good after a briefing yesterday by the respective heads of security forces in the state.

He also added that operations to flush out and deport illegal immigrants would continue.