Allah: Malaysia churches attacks spread to Sarawak, Melaka & Perak

Christian places of worship continue be the targets of attack as there is no sign of row over ‘Allah’ use by non-Muslim subsiding in west Malaysia. The attacks had spread beyond capital city Kuala Lumpur to Perak and Melaka.

Arsonists failed to set fire to Taiping’s historic All Saints’ Church and the Convent School on Saturday night, making it the fifth church and first Christian school attack linked to the controversial ‘Allah’ ruling that has riled many Muslims, reported Malaysia Insider.

The online news portal said Police confirmed both incidents, saying Molotov cocktails were lobbed at the church and school but the petrol bombs did not explode. Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau also sent out a news alert reporting police confirmation that a Baptist church in Durian Daun, Malacca was splashed with black paint.

However Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Pahlawan Zulkifli Abdullah tried to allay public concerned by saying that both cases were just acts of mischief by opportunists taking advantage of the other incidents of church attacks in Kuala Lumpur.

“We suspect that the incidents have no link to the other attacks on churches regarding the Allah issue. These were probably just mischievous acts by opportunists.

“However, we are not taking this matter lightly and we will be investigating both cases for arson. The perpetrators will be punished,” he said.

Arsonists in Malaysia struck another church on Saturday, bringing the attacks on churches to four in two days as a row escalates over the use of the word Allah to refer to the Christian God. (Photo:Reuters)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib on Saturday visited Metro Tabernacle Church and give the church RM500,000 to relocate.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the grant was the the Government’s way of showing its sympathy towards what has happened.

Najib’s handling of the issue will determine whether he can keep the support of the Malays and win back ethnic Chinese and Indian voters to solidify his grip on power after taking control of the government last year.

“Till today we are protecting the interests of other races besides championing those of the Malays,” Najib was earlier quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Bintulu
10/01/2010

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