ID :
98951
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 07:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/98951
The shortlink copeid
HOME MINISTER CONDEMNS CHURCH ATTACKS, WARNS CULPRITS
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Friday
condemned the hurling of home-made bombs at three churches and warned that the
government would not hesitate to use the Internal Security Act(ISA) against
those responsible for the incidents.
"I strongly condemn these violent acts carried out by irresponsible persons,
which has sparked anxiety among the people," he said, adding that the ministry
would ensure the safety of everyone in the country, including foreigners.
He also said that the police would ensure that security was stepped up from
time to time.
Hishammuddin was commenting on incidents of home-made bombs having been
hurled Thursday into three churches here and in the state of Selangor.
He said the ISA would also be used on those who staged demonstrations which
could spark disturbances.
"It is important to ensure that no one succumbs to emotions in their
actions," he said.
He also referred to the use of the word "Allah" by religions other than
Islam, and said the country's leaders had met with "ulama" (Islamic religious
scholars) and church administrations to explain and discuss the issue.
"This is a prudent approach to ensure that national security is not
undermined," he said.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said security at churches
nationwide had been stepped up and the police were conducting more frequent
patrols.
"We are also trying to identify those responsible for the church incidents.
Preliminary investigation reveals that these acts were carried out by
individuals who had succumbed to emotion and were not coordinated," he said.
Musa said the first incident occurred at 12.30am at the Metro Tabernacle
Church when a man on a motorcycle hurled a helmet containing a petrol bomb into
the church through a window.
This triggered a fire which destroyed chairs and religious books on the
ground floor of the three-storey building, he added.
"A security guard saw what happened, and we are recording a statement from
him to identify the individual and the motorcycle," he said.
Musa said the second incident took place at the Assumption Church at about
4am and the third at the Life Chapel at about 9am.
The petrol bombs in bottles hurled by men on motorcycles did not explode, he
added.
Musa advised churches to contact the police or him personally if they
received any threat or noticed anything suspicious.
Musa also said the police were monitoring websites suspected to have
prompted the people to break the law and gather illegally.
He said the police would not hesitate to detain bloggers under the Sedition
Act if they incited the people.
-- BERNAMA
condemned the hurling of home-made bombs at three churches and warned that the
government would not hesitate to use the Internal Security Act(ISA) against
those responsible for the incidents.
"I strongly condemn these violent acts carried out by irresponsible persons,
which has sparked anxiety among the people," he said, adding that the ministry
would ensure the safety of everyone in the country, including foreigners.
He also said that the police would ensure that security was stepped up from
time to time.
Hishammuddin was commenting on incidents of home-made bombs having been
hurled Thursday into three churches here and in the state of Selangor.
He said the ISA would also be used on those who staged demonstrations which
could spark disturbances.
"It is important to ensure that no one succumbs to emotions in their
actions," he said.
He also referred to the use of the word "Allah" by religions other than
Islam, and said the country's leaders had met with "ulama" (Islamic religious
scholars) and church administrations to explain and discuss the issue.
"This is a prudent approach to ensure that national security is not
undermined," he said.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said security at churches
nationwide had been stepped up and the police were conducting more frequent
patrols.
"We are also trying to identify those responsible for the church incidents.
Preliminary investigation reveals that these acts were carried out by
individuals who had succumbed to emotion and were not coordinated," he said.
Musa said the first incident occurred at 12.30am at the Metro Tabernacle
Church when a man on a motorcycle hurled a helmet containing a petrol bomb into
the church through a window.
This triggered a fire which destroyed chairs and religious books on the
ground floor of the three-storey building, he added.
"A security guard saw what happened, and we are recording a statement from
him to identify the individual and the motorcycle," he said.
Musa said the second incident took place at the Assumption Church at about
4am and the third at the Life Chapel at about 9am.
The petrol bombs in bottles hurled by men on motorcycles did not explode, he
added.
Musa advised churches to contact the police or him personally if they
received any threat or noticed anything suspicious.
Musa also said the police were monitoring websites suspected to have
prompted the people to break the law and gather illegally.
He said the police would not hesitate to detain bloggers under the Sedition
Act if they incited the people.
-- BERNAMA
