Suspek lelaki berusia 25 tahun ditahan pukul 3.30 petang, ketika menerima rawatan di HKL berikutan kecederaan di bahagian dada dan tangannya akibat melecur.
Dua Beradik Antara Lapan Ditahan Berhubung Kes Kebakaran Gereja
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Jan (Bernama) -- Dua beradik dan bapa saudara mereka antara lapan lelaki yang ditahan berhubung kes pembakaran gereja Metro Tabernacle Ag di Desa Melawati, Wangsa Maju di sini, baru-baru ini.
Kesemua mereka berumur antara 21 hingga 26 tahun ditahan di beberapa lokasi di sekitar Lembah Klang bermula petang semalam hingga pagi ini selepas 12 hari kejadian kebakaran gereja yang berlaku pada 8 Jan lepas.
Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Bukit Aman Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin berkata suspek pertama ditahan di Hospital Kuala Lumpur petang semalam.
"Lelaki berusia 25 tahun itu ditahan pukul 3.30 petang, ketika menerima rawatan di hospital tersebut berikutan kecederaan di bahagian dada dan tangannya akibat melecur," katanya kepada pemberita di Ibu pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur di sini Rabu.
Beliau berkata susulan daripada penahanan lelaki yang bekerja sebagai penghantar surat itu, polis kemudiannya menahan tujuh lagi lelaki di lokasi berasingan di sekitar Ampang, yang dipercayai mempunyai kaitan berhubung kes tersebut.
"Mereka yang ditahan adalah dua beradik yang berumur 24 dan 25 tahun, seorang lagi bapa saudara kepada adik beradik tersebut yang berumur 26 tahun, manakala lima lagi adalah kawan mereka.
"Dengan penahanan kesemua mereka itu, kita percaya kes kebakaran gereja di Desa Melawati selesai dan kita sedang menjalankan siasatan rapi bagi membolehkan mereka yang terlibat didakwa di mahkamah," katanya.
Mohd Bakri berkata adik kepada suspek pertama yang ditahan turut mengalami kesan melecur di bahagian tangan kirinya dipercayai berikutan kejadian tersebut.
"Kesemua mereka bekerja dengan syarikat swasta antaranya sebagai kerani, penghantar surat dan kerja pejabat.
"Mereka kini ditahan reman selama tujuh hari mulai hari ini dan kes disiasat di bawah Seksyen 436 Kanun Keseksaan yang boleh membawa hukuman maksimum 20 tahun penjara," katanya.
Beliau berkata semenjak kes pertama kebakaran gereja di Desa Melawati dan beberapa kawasan lain, polis telah menubuhkan satu pasukan khas bagi menyiasat kejadian tersebut.
Bagi kes gereja Metro Tabernacle Ag, katanya, polis Bukit Aman bekerjasama dengan polis Kuala Lumpur bagi menjalankan siasatan dan setakat ini polis tidak menemui kaitan kumpulan tersebut dengan pembakaran gereja lain yang berlaku di Lembah Klang.
"Kita minta orang ramai bersabar dan memberi peluang pada polis untuk menjalankan siasatan terperinci bagi membolehkan kita menghantar kertas siasatan kepada Peguam Negara untuk tindakan lanjut.
"Jangan cuba kaitkan kumpulan yang ditahan dengan pembakaran gereja-gereja lain," katanya.
Mohd Bakri juga turut menegaskan kepada orang ramai agar tidak mengambil tindakan sama dengan melakukan tindakan yang boleh menjejeskan ketenteraman negara, kaum dan agama.
-- BERNAMA
Eight arrested for Church attacks, PAS support not to use ISA
SUSPEK BAKAR GEREJA DITAHAN REMAN
US EMBASSY IN KL ISSUED WARDEN'S NOTICE TO TOURISTS VISITING SABAH (DWIBAHASA)
Is there any connection US Embassy warden's Notice with the recent spate of ?vandalism ?arson on Malaysian Churches?
An Embassy "warden notice" is a routine alert issued by embassies all over the world on possible risks to travellers' safety.
It is not a travel alert, a travel warning or travel 
advisory each of which are considered much more far reaching and connotes a more serious and ongoing threat.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar has directed the state police chief to intensify patrols along the coast and islands around Sabah especially Semporna, Mabul and Sipadan.
Police Intensify Security Patrols In Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The police have given an assurance that security patrols in the coastal areas and islands of Sabah will be intensified as a precautionary measure following a "warden notice" issued by the United States' embassy here that foreign tourists might come under attack by irresponsible elements n the area.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said tight security would always be maintained to ensure that the country was free of all types of threats that could jeopardise national security.
"I have directed the state police chief to intensify patrols along the coast and islands around Sabah especially Semporna, Mabul and Sipadan.
"We will always monitor the situation and take appropriate action, thus the people and tourists are asked to be calm and not to be worried because we are always on alert," he told Bernama when contacted.
He was commenting on the notice which warned that criminal and terrorist groups were planning attacks against foreigners in the islands off Sabah.
The notice posted on the embassy's website and dated Friday, said resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah posed a concern.
It urged "extreme caution" in connection with any travel in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan.
It noted that the Abu Sayaf militant group, an al Qaeda-linked militant group based in the southern Philippines, which is a short boat ride from Sabah, had previously kidnapped foreigners from Sabah's secluded resort areas in the past.
A "warden notice" is a routine alert issued by embassies all over the world on possible risks to travellers' safety.
It is not a travel alert or a travel warning or travel advisory which are each considered much more far reaching and connotes a more serious and ongoing threat.
Such warnings or alerts are issued only after a discussion/notification to the governments concerned.
-- BERNAMA
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Polis Tingkat Kawalan Keselamatan Di Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Jan (Bernama) -- Polis menasihati rakyat tempatan dan pelancong asing agar bertenang dan memberi jaminan akan meningkatkan kawalan keselamatan di kawasan pantai dan pulau di sekitar Sabah sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga ekoran pengeluaran satu "warden notice" daripada pejabat kedutaan Amerika Syarikat di sini bahawa anasir jahat akan menyerang pelancong asing di kawasan itu.
Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar berkata kawalan ketat akan sentiasa dijalankan dalam memastikan negara bebas daripada segala bentuk ancaman yang boleh menggugat keselamatan negara.
"Saya telah mengarahkan Ketua Polis Negeri itu untuk meningkatkan lagi kawalan di kawasan pantai dan pulau di sekitar Sabah terutama Semporna, Mabul dan Sipadan.
"Kita akan sentiasa memantau keadaan dan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya. Justeru rakyat dan pelancong diminta untuk bertenang dan tidak perlu bimbang kerana kita sentiasa berjaga-jaga," katanya kepada Bernama ketika dihubungi.
Beliau diminta mengulas mengenai notis itu yang memberi amaran bahawa kumpulan penjenayah dan pengganas sedang merancang untuk menyerang rakyat asing di pulau-pulau di sekitar Sabah.
Kenyataan kedutaan itu menggesa agar langkah berjaga-jaga diutamakan dalam membuat sebarang perjalanan ke kawasan pedalaman di timur Sabah termasuk Semporna dan pulau Mabul serta Sipadan.
Nasihat perjalanan itu berkata kumpulan militan Abu Sayaf yang mempunyai kaitan dengan kumpulan Al-Qaeda yang berpangkalan di selatan Filipina, yang mudah didatangi dengan bot ke Sabah telah menculik warga asing daripada kawasan resot di Sabah tidak lama dahulu.
"Warden Notice" merupakan pemberitahuan rutin yang dikeluarkan oleh pejabat-pejabat keduaan di seluruh dunia mengenai kemungkinan risiko buat keselamatan pelancong.
Ia bukan nasihat perjalanan atau amaran perjalanan yang boleh dianggap sebagai lebih menyeluruh yang merangkumi ancaman yang lebih serius dan berterusan.
Amaran atau nasihat perjalanan hanya dikeluarkan selepas perbincangan dengan kerajaan terlibat diadakan.
Bernama
NGO MUSLIM BANTU POLIS CEGAH PENCEROBOHAN GEREJA (DWIBAHASA)
Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia, Persatuan Cina Muslim Malaysia, Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah, Pertubuhan Peribumi Semenanjung, Darussyifa, Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia, Kongres India Muslim Malaysia, Persatuan Ulama Malaysia dan Islamic Information and Services Foundation (IIS) adalah antara NGO yang mengambil bahagian dalam pemantauan gereja selepas waktu tengah malam. Tidak pasti sama ada PEKIDA terlibat atau tidak. Foto sebelah kiri sekadar hiasan.
NGO Islam mula pantau keselamatan gereja
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — Sukarelawan dari pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Islam telah mula memantau dan mengawasi kawasan gereja di sekitar Lembah Klang.
Seramai 10 sukarelawan telah melakukan rondaan dari pukul 11 malam tadi di kawasan gereja yang terletak di sekitar kawasan Kampung Pandan dan Brickfields.
Timbalan Yang Dipertua dan Setiausaha Kerja Badan Tarbiah Sejagat (Batas) Danny Azar berkata jadual rondaan diatur sebanyak dua kali iaitu dari pukul 11 malam sehingga 2 pagi dan 4 pagi sehingga waktu subuh.
“Setakat ini pihak kami telah mula meronda dan kami bukan setakat singgah malahan juga berjumpa pihak gereja dengan mengenalkan diri kami,” katanya kepada Bernama.
Batas ialah antara 130 NGO yang telah menyatakan komitmen semalam untuk menjadi “mata dan telinga” kerajaan dalam menangani sebarang ancaman ke atas rumah ibadat penganut agama Kristian.
Langkah itu diambil ekoran tiga insiden cubaan membaling bom buatan sendiri di tiga gereja iaitu di Gereja Metro Tabernacle di Desa Melawati, Gereja Assumption di Petaling Jaya dan Gereja Life Chapel di Damansara baru-baru ini.
Antara NGO lain yang terlibat ialah Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia, Persatuan Cina Muslim Malaysia, Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah, Pertubuhan Peribumi Semenanjung, Darussyifa, Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia, Kongres India Muslim Malaysia, Persatuan Ulama Malaysia dan Islamic Information and Services Foundation (IIS).
Inisiatif itu dilaporkan telah mengumpulkan seramai 60 sukarelawan bagi menjalankan pengawasan dan pemantauan di kawasan gereja sekitar Lembah Klang mulai semalam.
Sementara itu, ahli Gereja Katolik Holy Rosary di Brickfields, Angelina Soo, 28, berkata pihaknya berterima kasih kepada pihak NGO Islam dan menghargai tangggungjawab serta keprihatinan mereka dalam menjamin keselamatan dan kesejahteraan tempat ibadat itu.
Malaysian Insider
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Muslim NGO bodies begin church security patrols
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11, 2010): 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.
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 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/sun2surf
MURSYIDUL AM PAS KUNJUNGI GEREJA (dwibahasa)
Lawatan para pemimpin PAS ke gereja yang terlibat dengan cubaan membakar oleh pihak-pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab, memberi makna yang amat besar kepad PAS sebagai satu wadah politik, dakwah serta kebajikan.
Pegawai Gereja terharu terima kunjungan Nik Aziz
PETALING JAYA, 10 Jan: Kesediaan Mursyidul Am PAS, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat melawat tiga gereja petang tadi menimbulkan rasa terharu pihak gereja.
Perasaan terharu itu dinyatakan oleh Pegawai Penyambut Tamu Gereja Katholik Assumption, Jalan Assunta dekat sini, Calvin Jacob yang juga sempat mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Menteri Besar Kelantan itu kerana sudi mengunjungi mereka.
Menurut Calvin, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz telah meluahkan rasa simpati di atas apa yang telah berlaku ke atas gereja itu yang dibaling dengan bom buatan sendiri pada minggu lalu.
“Saya telah mempelawa beliau masuk ke dalam gereja untuk melawat namun kerana ketika itu pengunjung gereja sedang melakukan kegiatan mingguan mereka, beliau menolak dengan baik.
“Jika cuaca tidak hujan saya bercadang untuk membawa beliau meninjau di sekeliling gereja, tetapi saya sempat maklumkan kepadanya tentang keadaan gereja yang tidak mengalami apa-apa kerosakan lantaran bom yang dilontar itu tidak meletup,” jelas Calvin lagi.
Sebelum itu, Tuan Guru telah mengunjungi Gereja St Francis Xavier di Jalan Gasing juga dekat sini untuk meninjau dan menyampaikan rasa simpatinya terhadap kejadian tidak bermoral pihak tertentu yang jelas bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam.
Gambar: Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat sedang berkata sesuatu kepada dua Penyambut Tetamu Gereja Katholik Assumption, Jalan Assunta, Petaling Jaya ketika lawatannya petang tadi. Calvin Jacob (dua dari kanan).
Terdahulu, sebelum ke Petaling Jaya, Nik Aziz telah ke Gereja Metro Tabernacle di Taman Melawati yang dibakar. Di situ, beliau telah memberikan sumbangan peribadi beliau kepada wakil gereja.
Semalam, Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang dan timbalannya, Nasharudin Mat Isa mengunjungi gereja yang sama bagi melahirkan rasa simpati PAS kepada tindakan membakar gereja itu.
Sehingga kini sudah tujuh kes gereja cuba dibakar selepas Mahkamah Tinggi memutuskan akhbar Kristian The Herald boleh menggunakan perkataan Allah dalam laporannya.
PAS mengambil sikap, Kristian berhak menggunakan perkataan Allah itu kerana semua agama Samawi sememangnya menggunakan Allah sebagai tuhan namun Umno dan NGO yang pro kepadanya membantah dan mula membuat kenyataan dan perhimpunan panas membantahnya.
Beberapa NGO pro Umno pula semacam mengambil sikap mengapi-apikan orang Islam dalam isu ini.
Ismail Hashim/ Harakahdaily/sun2surf
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Nik Aziz briefly visits PJ churches
PETALING JAYA (Jan 10, 2010): Two churches here saw a surprise visit today from PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
Nik Aziz, who is also the Kelantan Mentri Besar paid a short visit to the Church of St Francis Xavier, where he exchanged greetings with Fr Simon Yong before speeding off five minutes later to the Assumption Church, where he also spent a few minutes speaking with the congregation.
He then left after a few minutes to return to Kelantan House in Kuala Lumpur.
Assumption Church was one of the four that were attacked over the weekend, when a kerosene bomb failed to ignite when it was thrown into the church early Friday morning.
Tan Yi Liang/sun2surf
SELAMA INI WAJAH SEBENAR ISLAM DISEMBUNYIKAN OLEH UMNO
Dialog itu penting bagi memberi kesedaran kepada masyarakat berhubung ajaran Islam sebenar bila berdepan dengan isu-isu berkaitan antara-agama.
Selama ini, dialog antara agama dikira perkara "sensitif" dan perlu dielakkan. UMNO tidak pernah menerangkan kepada sekutunya dalam Barisan Nasional. Jika mendatangkan manfaat dan pulangan ekonomi kepada mereka seperti sistem perbankan tanpa faedah, bersungguh-sungguh benar mereka membuat penerangan.
Tidak cukup sekadar wujud kaunter SPTF, malah namapun bertukar.
Contohnya bank seperti OCBC sanggup menukar namanya kepada OCBC Al Amin, CIMB bertukar kepada CIMB Islamic, Maybank Islamic.
PAS kesal serangan gereja, sedia berdialog
SHAH ALAM, 9 Jan: Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang sekali lagi melahirkan kekesalan berhubung isu serangan ke atas beberapa buah gereja yang belaku kelmarin.
Bercakap pada sidang media selepas merasmikan program Taklimat Isu-isu penerangan PAS Pusat di sini, beliau memberitahu, lebih menyedihkan jika perkara tersebut dilakukan orang Islam sendiri.
Tegasnya Islam menghormati penganut agama lain termasuk rumah-rumah ibadat mereka walaupun dalam keadaan peperangan.
"Bila Islam diceroboh, berlaku peperangan, namun dalam peperangan sekalipun gereja perlu dipelihara," katanya.
Walaubagaimanapun beliau yakin isu penggunaan kalimah Allah ini mampu diselesaikan dengan mengadakan dialog antara agama.
Dialog itu penting bagi memberi kesedaran kepada masyarakat berhubung ajran Islam sebenar berdepan isu-isu berkaitan agama.
"PAS sedia berdialog, menghadiri majlis-majlis memberi kefahaman kepada rakyat," katanya.
Beliau juga meminta ruang media diberikan kepada PAS bagi tujuan tersebut.
Apa yang berlaku katanya, kerana selama ini penyebaran ajaran Islam itu sendiri telah dikongkong.
"Saya yakin isu ini dapat diselesaikan dengan elok, syaratnya jangan ada yang tidak ikhlas untuk menangguk di air yang keruh, untuk dapat sokongan," katanya lagi.
Dalam hal ini katanya, PAS tidak melihat kepada sokongan rakyat, namun apa yang penting adalah kewajipan PAS untuk menjelaskan sesuatu yang benar dan betul tentang ajaran agama kepada masyarakat.
"Saya anggap ada pihak-pihak tertentu yang menyalahgunakan isu ini dan mengambil kesempatan dan meniupkan api supaya membakar," katanya.
Kalimah Allah juga jelasnya kalimah yang benar, tetapi telah dihuraikan cara mencapai matlamat yang salah oleh pihak-pihak tertentu.
Ditanya sama ada PAS kan mengambil tindakan jika ahlinya didapati terlibat dengan demonstrasi isu kalimah Allah semalam, beliau menjelaskan PAS tidak sampai berbuat begitu namun telahpun menasihatkan ahlinya supaya tidak terlibat dengan mana-mana bantahan isu itu.
Namun jika ahli PAS didapati terlibat dengan insiden serangan ke atas gereja, PAS katanya tidak akan teragak-agak mengambil tindakan seperti diperuntukkan perlembagaan parti.
Nazri Abdullah/harakahdaily
COMMENTS OF LEADERS ON CHURCH INCIDENTS
Church attacks condemned, concerns grow
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8: The attacks on three churches, with a fourth in Kampung Subang being investigated by the police, have shocked Malaysians at home and abroad. Their caring nature and concern for the safety of their family,
friends and fellow Malaysians manifested itself in the form of rapid-fire searches on the Internet.
News websites, such as Malaysiakini, Malaysian Insider, The Star Online, Malaysian Mirror, Harakahdaily and Malaysia Today, experienced huge numbers of visitors, unseen since the height of the Teoh Beng Hock case and the Perak crisis.
But what is done is done. Much as we despise today's cowardly attacks, it has become part of our history - 'a low point' in the words of a prominent civil society leader. It has also been described as a 'test case' and a 'trap'. Not just for Prime Minister Najib Razak and his 1Malaysia plan, but for Malaysians themselves.
Will we do anything about today, Black Friday, or shall we forget - as we have often done in the past - and allow sleeping dogs to lie? Remember, we deserve the leaders we choose, the government we elect. Perhaps, it is time to really reflect and think again of the type of future we want to leave for our children.
Provided, of course, that we are allowed to do so. Indeed, the buzz is growing among pundits that this is deliberate - another Operations Lalang in the making, another May 13, 1969, except that this is January and the year is 2010.
Has enough changed since then? No? Then do something about it.
Harakahdaily appends below the comments of leaders across the political divide and from civil society:
Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS president
We condemn in the strongest way the attacks on the churches. This sort of action contradicts the teachings of Islam. It can only be done by people who do not understand their own religion. We had previously warned Umno against politicisng the Allah issue just to gain mileage with the Malay voters and we are now saddened to see the outcome.
Mahfuz Omar, PAS vice-president
Islam prohibits the destruction of places of worship of muslims and non muslims. I don’t believe such attacks are by true believers of Islam. This is a political act by by certain parties who want to benefit from the issue.
Anwar Ibrahim, Opposition Leader
I urge all parties to remain calm and not descend into hatred. I am confident the people of Malaysia can resolve this issue without conflict.”
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR president
We should all heed the religious teachings of practising tolerance and respect towards all other religions. We sincerely appeal to all quarters to remain calm and approach this issue in a wise and peaceful manner. In light of the emotional nature of this debate, all religious and political leaders, in particular, must act responsibly and not try to score points at the expense of another community.”
Lim Kit Siang, DAP adviser
What many Malaysians had feared would happen and which the Prime Minister and Home Minister had discounted with their far-from-responsible stances – the exploitation of the “Allah” controversy by irresponsible and extremist elements – have unfortunately come to pass.
All top political party leaders should take a common stand to condemn in the strongest possible terms the spate of church attacks in the wake of the “Allah” controversy and ensure that there is no further escalation.
As Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should immediately impress on the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to take all urgent and necessary measures to protect the good name of the country or be held responsible for any undesirable consequences.
Najib Razak, Prime Minister
Don’t point the fingers at Umno or anyone else. We have always been very responsible. Don’t say this attack is motivated by Umno.
Hishammuddin Hussein, Home Minister
I am assuring not only minorities but all Malaysians that they are safe. The issue of race and religion is always sensitive and it is not something new to Malaysia. We saw the signs, signals, warning after the court made its decision. We have been monitoring the situation.
We never said that the demonstration could go on, do not put words in my mouth.
Musa Hassan, Inspector-General of Police
I have directed all state police chiefs to personally oversee the safety of mosques and churches. Patrols will be carried out for the next three days. Besides this, we will also carry out air patrols throughout the country.
We will not tolerate such actions and will not hesitate to even arrest those responsible under Section 28 of the ISA. I have also received SMSes that vehicles with crosses and rosaries had been vandalised in the Klang Valley. All these are mere rumours
Sam Ang, National Evangelical Christian Fellowship
These actions display their immaturity and intolerance towards others within a multi-racial society. We call on our government to take the necessary steps to educate those who lack understanding and are ‘easily confused’ to be mature minded in a progressive democratic society.
With the Prime Minister’s national agenda of 1 Malaysia, we regret to note that these irresponsible actions will bring much setback to the desired goals and derail the country’s effort to move out of recession.
Ramon Navaratnam, Centre for Public Policy Studies
At this testing time, the government needs to show leadership. Prime Minister Najib needs to show he will put the country first and not his party. He must not bow down to the extremists within his party.
These criminal and religiously-motivated incidents mark a low point in our nation’s history where houses of worship are violently attacked and desecrated. This is a troubling trend that started with cow-head protest where religious sensitivities of the various communities are ignored and issues of religion are not discussed openly.
The strong dissenting voices and misguided violent actions indicates disagreement and points to the dire need of readdressing the issue in a civilised fashion to ensure the preservation of freedom of religion.
John Liu, Suaram
Suaram urges the police to act immediately, stressing that Malaysia has ample laws to deal with such violence and destruction of property without having to resort to repressive laws like the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Police Act and the Sedition Act.
In some of the most blatant examples of religious intolerance, there have been involvement of some leaders of political parties both from the ruling BN as well as the opposition Pakatan Rakyat. And these have been largely tolerated.
These latest incidents once again prove that ‘national security’ cannot be guaranteed by merely threatening actions using repressive laws, such as the ISA, the Police Act and the Sedition Act. Invoking such laws does not adequately address the matter at hand, especially those pertaining to religious intolerance.
The government’s decision to charge the cow-head protestors, for example, clearly did not deter further similar, and even worse, actions as were seen early today.
Chandra Muzaffar, Yayasan 1 Malaysia
Yayasan 1 Malaysia appeals to the authorities to apprehend the culprits and to take stern action against them in accordance with the law.
Ragunath Kesavan, Malaysian Bar Council
It is deplorable and, along with other assaults in recent times that exhibit intolerance, demonstrate a very negative and worrying trend towards extreme disrespect and prejudice. Such behaviour is shocking and offensive. Right-minded Malaysians must condemn it as indecent and unacceptable.
We remain firm in our view that the most effective and progressive way of resolving disputes is to promote dialogue and an understanding of dissenting views amongst all the parties involved, regardless of how complex the issue is. Any reactionary behaviour that encourages any form of disorder must be censured in the strongest terms.
Harakahdaily
BATALKAN HASRAT BERDEMO (DWIBAHASA)
Semalam Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk Lau Bee Lan menangguhkan pelaksanaan perintah yang membenarkan penggunaan kalimah Allah dalam penerbitan itu setelah Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail yang mewakili Menteri Dalam Negeri dan peguam mewakili Gereja Katholik, Derek Fernandes mencapai kata sepakat supaya perintah itu ditangguh sementara menunggu rayuan. Bersabar dan tunggu dahulu.
KPN: Jangan adakan perhimpunan
Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Musa Hassan memberi amaran kepada mana-mana pihak yang berhasrat untuk berhimpun bagi membantah isu penggunaan kalimah Allah esok agar membatalkannya sebelum tindakan tegas diambil.
Beliau yang memantau secara serius perkara itu, berkata polis tidak akan berkompromi dengan mana-mana pihak yang cuba mengeruh dan menjejaskan keselamatan negara.
"Jangan buat sesuatu tindakan yang boleh mengusutkan keadaan, kita perlu bertenang kerana ia melibatkan isu agama yang menjadi isu sensitif," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Seminar Pengurusan Inovasi dan Kualiti PDRM di ibunegara hari ini.
Musa berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas tindakan beberapa NGO yang dijangka berhimpun secara aman bagi membantah penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh Herald Catholic di beberapa masjid di ibu negara selepas solat Jumaat, esok.
Beliau berkata polis tidak mengeluarkan permit kepada mana-mana permohonan untuk berhimpun meskipun ia adalah perhimpunan secara aman.
Beliau berkata semua pihak perlu bertenang dan memberi ruang kepada mahkamah untuk menyelesaikan isu itu dan jangan membuat kenyataan yang boleh menaikkan semangat serta kemarahan orang ramai.
Semalam Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk Lau Bee Lan menangguhkan pelaksanaan perintah yang membenarkan penggunaan kalimah Allah dalam penerbitan itu setelah Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail yang mewakili Menteri Dalam Negeri dan peguam mewakili Gereja Katholik, Derek Fernandes mencapai kata sepakat supaya perintah itu ditangguh sementara menunggu rayuan.
Pada 31 Disember, Hakim Lau Bee Lan membenarkan Gereja Katolik menggunakan perkataan Allah dalam penerbitan mingguannya setelah beliau berpendapat bahawa setiap individu mempunyai hak berperlembagaan untuk menggunakan kalimah itu dan ia bukan eksklusif kepada umat Islam.
Ditanya mengenai pengendali laman web Malaysia Today Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin, Musa berkata polis sedang menguruskan permohonan untuk mendapatkan perintah ekstradisi bagi membawanya pulang ke Malaysia.
"Kami sedang menguruskan permohonan itu tetapi tidak tahu berapa lama kerana kami perlu ikut proses perundangan," katanya.
Mengenai penemuan makmal membuat bahan letupan di Kelantan, Musa berkata ketiga-tiga suspek rakyat Thailand telah dituduh di mahkamah mengikut Akta Imigresen dan mereka dijangka dikenakan tuduhan yang lain.
Musa berkata polis masih menjalankan siasatan lanjut bagi mengenal pasti mereka bekerja untuk siapa serta kemungkinan-kemungkinan kaitan dengan kumpulan pemisah di selatan negara jiran itu.
"Kami masih menyiasat dan bekerjasama dengan polis Thailand," katanya.
- Bernama
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Police Warn Against Any Gatherings To Protest 'Allah' Issue
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Federal Police Chief Tan Sri Musa Hassan on Thursday warned those planning to stage protest rallies against the use of the word 'Allah' to cancel their plans or face action.
He added that police would monitor the situation and would not compromise with anyone who tried to disrupt harmony and pose a threat to the safety of the country.
"Do not do anything that might aggravate the situation. We must practice caution when dealing with religious issues because they are very sensitive," he told reporters after opening a Innovative and Quality Management seminar for police here Thursday.
Musa was commenting on reports that a number of non-governmental organizations were planning to stage peaceful protest rallies, in mosques throughout the city here, after the Friday prayers tomorrow.
He added that the police have not issued any permits, even for peaceful protest rallies.
"How can police issue a permit for a gathering at a mosque because it is a place of worship," he said.
He urged all the relevant people to be tolerant and let the court settle the issue and avoid issuing any statements that can raise the sensitivity of the people.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday granted a stay in favour of the Home Ministry to stop Catholic weekly magazine Herald, from using the word 'Allah' pending an appeal
The application was heard in chambers by High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan while Attorney General Datuk Abdul Gani Patail appeared for the Home Ministry, while Derek Fernandez and Benjamin Dawson appeared for Herald.
On Dec 31, Lau ruled that pursuant to Articles 11 and 12 of the federal constitution, Herald had the constitutional right to use the word in respect of instruction and education of the congregation in the Christian religion.
She also said that, pursuant to Article11(4) of the federal constitution, it is an offence for non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah' to Muslims to propagate the religion, but it is not an offence for non-Muslims to use the word to non-Muslims for the purpose of religion.
However, on Monday, the Home Ministry lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal against the decision, and followed up with an application for the stay yesterday.
The Herald, which is printed in four languages, has been using the word 'Allah' as a translation for 'God' in its Malay-language section, but the government argued 'Allah' should be used only by Muslims.
BERNAMA
MARI KEMBALI KEPADA AL QURAN DAN SUNNAH
Selepas bermesyuarat hampir tiga jam di Pejabat Agung Pas di Kuala Lumpur, Lajnah Politik Pas mencapai keputusan menyokong kepada penggunaan Allah oleh masyarakat Kristian Katolik kerana penggunaan nama Allah oleh penganut-penganut agama samawi - Islam, Krsitian dan Yahudi - boleh diterima. Juga ia adalah konsisten dengan prinsip Islam dan Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Gerakan Islam Terbesar Tanahair Sokong Penggunaan Nama Allah
Gerakan Islam terbesar tanahair, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia hari ini menyatakan sokongan kepada penggunaan Allah oleh masyarakat Kristian Katolik.
Dalam satu kenyataan akhbar yang dibacakan Ketua Penerangan Idris Ahmad lewat jam 11.45 malam tadi, Presiden Pas Abdul Hadi Awang berkata sokongan ini konsisten dengan prinsip Islam dan Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Keputusan ini dicapai Lajnah Politik Pas selepas bermesyuarat hampir tiga jam di Pejabat Agung Pas Kuala Lumpur.
Biro pimpinan terkanan Pas menegaskan bahawa penggunaan nama Allah oleh penganut-penganut agama samawi - Islam, Krsitian dan Yahudi - boleh diterima.
Pendirian ini konsisten dengan kenyataan-kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh tokoh-tokoh Islam tanahair sebelum ini.
Bekas Mufti Perlis Dr Asri Zainal Abidin dan Mursyidul Am Pas Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yang dinobatkan antara 500 pemimpin Islam paling berpengaruh di dunia turut menyokong penggunaan nama Allah oleh penganut agama Kristian.
Dalam nada tegas, Pas memberi amaran kepada semua pihak untuk tidak menyalahguna nama Allah demi politik atau untuk mengelirukan masyarakat.
"PAS memberikan peringatan kepada semua pihak supaya tidak menyalahgunakan perkataan Allah bagi mengelirukan atau menjadikan politik murahan untuk mendapat sokongan rakyat,"
Kes 'Allah' ini menguja kembali sejarah konflik antara masyarakat majmuk di negara ini, yang pernah terjerumus dalam rusuhan berdarah pada 13 Mei 1969.
Sebuah kumpulan pro-Melayu, Pribumi Perkasa, merancang untuk menganjurkan tunjuk perasaan pada Jumaat depan di masjid-masjid utama negara sebagai tanda bantahan.
Kerajaan Pusat turut berikrar untuk memfailkan rayuan terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi yang membenarkan penggunaan nama Allah oleh warta katolik, The Herald, minggu lalu.
Pas, selaku gerakan Islam terbesar negara, melalui presidennya Abdul Hadi Awang memberi amaran bahawa ia tidak akan berkompromi dengan mana-mana pihak yang menghasut atau mengambil tindakan provokasi yang boleh membawa kepada ketegangan agama.
TRINITY VERSUS MONOTHEISM OVER THE USE OF WORD "ALlah"
The Herald is widely read by some 850,000 Catholics in Malaysia.
High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan in her judgement said that in pursuant to Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution, Articles 11 and 12 last but not least Article 10 allowed Herald to use the word in the exercise of right to freedom of speech and expression.
Herald’s editor Father Lawrence Andrew said that ‘Allah’ in the Christian concept is used to refer to ‘God the Father’.
Former National Fatwa Council chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Ibrahim said.“In fact, the name ‘Allah’ specifically refers to the God of Muslims in the context of the One and Only Allah. This is the concept of God in Islam.
The term "ALlah" refers to the unique, distinct and different God. That is why in the proclamation of Faith of a Muslim, he or she says " There is no god but ALlah" OR "There is no object of worship except ALlah"
Christian followers believe in the trinity concept, whereas Muslims believe Isa or Jesus is not Allah’s son.”
*Difference in concept, says ex-Fatwa Council head (sun2surf)
*Court: Allah not exclusive to Islam (Bernama)
Difference in concept, says ex-Fatwa Council head
PUTRAJAYA (Jan 3, 2010) : There is a difference between the concept of Allah as believed by Muslims and that believed by Catholics, former National Fatwa Council chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Ibrahim said.
This has prompted the Muslims to protest against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision last week in allowing the Catholic weekly newspaper Herald to use the word “Allah” in its publication.
“In fact, the name ‘Allah’ specifically refers to the God of Muslims in the context of the One and Only Allah. This is the concept of God in Islam,” he told theSun.
“Muslims cannot share the same concept of Allah with the non-Muslims, including Christian followers who believe in the trinity concept, because Muslims believe Isa or Jesus is not Allah’s son.”
Husna Yusop/sun2surf
Full Reports HERE
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Court: Allah not exclusive to Islam
KUALA LUMPUR ( Dec 31, 2009) : The High Court in a landmark ruling today, declared that the word ‘Allah’ was not exclusive to Islam and allowed Catholic newsletter ‘The Herald’ to use the word ‘Allah’ in its publication to refer to God.
High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan also declared that an order by the Home Minister banning the use of the word as illegal, null and void.
Lau, in her oral decision today, held that the Herald had the constitutional right to use the word in the magazine to propagate the Christian religion but not Islam.
She said that pursuant to Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution, it is an offence for non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah' to Muslims to propagate the religion. But it is not an offence for non-Muslims to use the word to non-Muslims for the purpose of religion, she added.
Pursuant to Articles 11 and 12 of the Federal Constitution, the Herald had the constitutional right to use the word in respect of instruction and education of the congregation in the Christian religion.
Article 10 allowed it to use the word in the exercise of its right to freedom of speech and expression, she said.
Lau said thus the decision by the Home Minister prohibiting Herald publications from using the word 'Allah' in the magazine was illegal, null and void.
She said the minister had also failed to adduce evidence that the use of word would threaten national security and create misunderstanding and confusion among Muslims.
In an immediate response, Catholic Church archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, as publisher of Herald, lauded the decision of the court.
"Islam is a great international religion, and the court's decision today will reflect upon Malaysia as a moderate nation with a pre-dominant Muslim population in the eyes of the world," he said.
"On the local level, the court decision is in the right direction in tune with the Prime Minister's objective of congealing the 1Malaysia concept." he said.
"As a church, we are relieved that the long standing issue has been amicably resolved. We thank the authorities involved in the matter," added Pakiam.
The Herald, which is widely read by some 850,000 Catholics in Malaysia had run into trouble with the Home Ministry after using the word ‘Allah’ in Malay articles to refer to the ‘Christian’ God.
Pakiam, as publisher of the Herald, filed for a judicial review naming the Home Ministry and the Government as respondents on Feb 16, 2009.
The Home Ministry claimed the ban was necessary to avoid confusing the Muslim majority in the country especially as the word ‘Allah’ was mainly used in Islam to refer to God.
But the Catholic church said it was used in church worship among indigenous East Malaysians government and that the use of the word will not confuse the Muslims because the Herald is only distributed amongst church worshippers.
The Church took the government to court last year after the Home Ministry threatened to revoke its annual publishing permit for the Herald.
The Church claimed that the ban violated the constitutional rights of Malaysians to practice the religion of their choice freely.
Following the landmark decision, the Herald’s editor Father Lawrence Andrew said that ‘Allah’ in the Christian concept is used to refer to ‘God the Father’.
He said indigenous East Malaysians, who form a large number of Catholics, still use the word ‘Allah’ widely.
After the decision, senior federal counsel Datuk Kamaluddin Md Said, for the minister and the government, asked the court for clarification whether the decision would affect the Herald publications for the period Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2010.
He said this was because the application was for this year and not for next year's publications.
The church's counsel, Porres Royan, informed the court that the minister had given a fresh permit early this month for next year's publications.
"The decision speaks for itself. The minister has given the fresh permit for next year. I believe the minister would abide by the decision," he said.
Kamaluddin told the court that he had to take instructions from the minister whether today's decision would affect the fresh perm it for next year's publications as it involved a very serious matter.
He also said he needed to get instructions from the respondents on whether to appeal or to apply for a stay of execution of the decision.
Lau said the respondents had 30 days to file the application.
Time Leonard and Joseph Masilamany/ BERNAMA
