MALAYSIA: MASTERMIND BEHIND BURNING OF METRO TABERNACLE CHRUCH TRACED

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ismail
Omar said police have obtained information on the mastermind believed to
be responsible for the attack on the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati,
here on Friday.

"We have leads on the appearance...physical features of the people who may
be involved. But we cannot expose this information because we need time to study
the information," he told reporters at his office, here Wednesday.

He said police had to carry out further investigation on the attack before
making any arrest to ensure that the people arrested were actually the ones who
carried out the attack.

Ismail said all cases on the burning of the churches were now investigated
under Section 436 of the Penal Code, that is, mischief by fire or explosive
substance with intent to destroy any building.

"I am issuing a warning not to play with fire. Those responsible will be
punished," he said.

On the student of a tertiary institution who had written in a 'Facebook'
that he had purportedly burnt a church, Ismail said an investigation would
certainly be carried out although he had been released on police bail.

"We notice that the student is purposely taking the opportunity arising from
the issue that had cropped up. This is an irresponsible act and such matters are
not for fun," he said.

He said the case of the 19-year-old male student would be handed over to the
Attorney-General's Chamber to determine if there was a need to take follow-up
action.

The student was detained at his house in Desa Mentari, Petaling Jaya,
Tuesday
night and was released several hours later after investigations revealed that he
was not involved in the incident, and he admitted that his posting on the social
website was purely 'for fun'.

Ismail reminded members of the public against using the internet to spread
their feelings of dissatisfaction.

-- BERNAMA