MIRI: Anger that before yesterday appeared to have been limited to Semenanjung Malaysia, seemed to have got into the system of some people in this state when bricks were thrown at the Anglican Good Shepherd Church in Lutong yesterday.



UNCALLED FOR: The smashed windows of the church.

“We hope and pray that the incident will not become worse and spread to other churches and other houses of worship in Miri and elsewhere in Sarawak,” said parish priest Reverend Fr Donald Juti who, at 6.05am yesterday discovered that the church’s glass windows had been broken and several pieces of bricks were lying on the floor.

“It was still dark at that time and I didn’t notice the window glass panels on the priest and choir rooms had been smashed, not until I switched on the light to go into the priest room,” Fr Donald said.
He said at least eight pieces of bricks were lying on the floor.
Fr Donald said he immediately informed Fr Ugil Wat of the incident. Fr Donald and the church secretary Edwin Samad later lodged a police report.

The police came to investigate at 11am.

Sunday service went on as usual although there was general nervousness among the worshippers, said Fr Donald, who added that much of the morning’s sermons were spent on praying for peace and softening of the hearts of the arsonists.

“We are nervous but we want very much to act like nothing had happened to our church. We have been living in harmony. It is sad for such a thing to happen if indeed it is related to what had been happening in West Malaysia.

“We really don’t want to speculate on the incident and we don’t want to blame anybody as we don’t know who is behind this (the incident). For all we know, this incident might have nothing to do with the incident in Klang Valley,” he said.

Fr Donald said the act of vandalism might be the act of people out to stir up emotions so that people of different religions look at one another with suspicion.

“We have been able to understand and tolerate each other. This church, for example, has a mosque just next to it. We have been neighbours for a long time with no negative feelings but respect and brotherhood,” said Fr Donald referring to An-Naim Mosque which stands just on the next lot.

In this context, Fr Donald urged the Anglican community and other Christian communities here in Miri not to be unduly frightened by the incident, which, he said might have been done purposely to create tensions among Chris tians and Muslims.
Asked if the church would tighten security, Fr Donald said: “No, no, not necessary to do that. It is just a small incident and I believe it will happen again.

“I believe that the police here are also doing their part by conducting patrol as instructed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak following the incident in Klang Valley.”
Meanwhile, an imam of the An-Naim mosque also visited the church after hearing of the incident.

The imam condemned the act of vandalism, saying Christians and Muslims in Miri must be strong and not fall to provocation.
He said the understanding and feeling of brotherhood among local Christians and their Muslim counterparts must be preserved and they should be proud of the fact that the An-Naim mosque and the church standing side by side is unique and testimony to the existing understanding and goodwill.

The imam said such act of vandalism was not in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

Meanwhile, Miri OCPD ACP Jamaluddin Ibrahim confirmed having received the report of the incident.

He said a thorough investi gation was being conducted and advised members of the public not to make speculations.
When asked to comment on whether the incident was related to the bomb attacks on three churches in West Malaysia recently, he said: “Please don’t make any speculations or relate this incident to those happening in West Malaysia, as we are still investigating.”

Source : http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=3921

Quote:

Arson attempt on eighth church

SEREMBAN: The entrance door of the Sidang Injil Borneo church in Seremban 2 was partially burnt in an arson attempt early Monday, said Negri Sembilan Deputy CPO Datuk Abd Manan Mohd Hassan.

It is the eighth church to be affected in the past three days. A school was also targeted on Saturday.

In an incident in Miri, the first in East Malaysia, the glass windows of the Good Shepherd Church were shattered by bricks thrown at them.

On Saturday, in Taiping, Molotov cocktails were hurled at the All Saints Church and St Louis Catholic Church but they suffered no damage.

The guardhouse of SM Convent, also in Taiping, was slightly damaged when a glass window was shattered when a Molotov cocktail was thrown in the compound but did not explode.

In Malacca, black paint was splashed on the outer wall of the Baptist Church in Durian Daun.

On Friday, the Metro Tabernacle Church was badly damaged in an arson attack. Three other churches saw attempted arson but suffered minimal damage.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp? ... 20100111115311&sec=nation

Haih. silly west malaysian issues got peaceful sarawak involved.

Don't panic ...... it was simple vandalism by fun-seeking wannabes.

oh ok... i reckon sarawak is peaceful as always.. we just cannot tolerate with such despicable being who torched religious buildings / a place for people to worship... while some had mark great importance towards historical site / cultural heritage.

I'm so afraid Malaysia is heading towards the racial riot that happened in Indonesia years back where many Chinese were killed. Those scenes and imagination are so scary.

I'm kinda pissed that how could the Home Minister would mention to use all the existing laws to solve this issue without using the ISA. And people now thinking of the predicted scenes or happenings of such, he will immediately call for ISA.

This is so gibberish!

Well the word that they are fussing about has deep and great meaning to the muslims. to them its not just a word. the saying of it. the writing of it is sacred and should not be used lightly, as far as I can understand la.

yes, now's the right time to use ISA!

Quote: yes,why not ? its the appropriate move to deter further damages(if lah can managed to catch the culpits).not only the normal ISA ,impose them with ISA Special ,like you order Laksa Special !. anyway,most of our muslim friends also don't wanna this incidents to exaggerated(it only hurts both sides when comes to such highly super sinsitive subject as religion) all wanna peace and harmony and the good rights to earn a living,make monies,simpan dalam bank and...survive .

Oh man this makes me cringe for the Islamic Youth guy. Couldn't they send someone better or more prepared to do the interview???? This is just like the 'Stuttering Minister' who was also interviewed by Al-Jazeera during the 1st Hindraf riots couple years back.

I'm actually abit divided by this whole affair so I don't support any side.

But I think if they had sent a better and more informed person to do the interview on behalf of 'Allah for Muslims only' group, surely they can present a more credible reason for why Allah is only for Muslims and at the same time not make Malaysia look like an idiot????

Time and time again..... everyone a UMNO sends someone to be interviewed by foreign press, they end up looking like fools. They should have sent Khairy! That guy knows how to answer questions and not falter in front of the television cameras.