Friday, January 8, 2010

Mild protests after Friday prayers following church attacks

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The banner says it all.. Scenes outside the Shah Alam mosque today after Friday prayers where protestors gathered to make their views known






The Metro Tabernacle church in Desa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, that
was attacked by arsonists at midnight on Jan 7, 2010, destroying
the ground floor administrative office. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri
Dr Ng Yen Yen is seen talk to reporters outside the protestant
church.



Small groups of Muslims rallied after Friday prayers today to protest against Christians using the word "Allah" for God after a spate of attacks on churches that threatened to stoke racial and religious tensions.

The groups proceeded with small protests after Friday prayers at a number of major mosques in the city amid strong police presence following the arson attacks earlier today.

In Kampung Baru, where organisers had wanted to hold a major protest against the recent High Court ruling allowing the word "Allah" to be used by a Catholic weekly in its Bahasa Malaysia section, about 200 members of Muslim NGOs held a brief demonstration.

The protesters carried banners with the words "Don't challenge Islam", "Do not test our patience" and "Allah is only for us" while some group leaders gave emotional speeches.

Zaim Shari, a leader from the Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia, in his speech, said the ruling was akin to an "invasion" by foreign forces. "Our soil has been invaded, our faith threatened, we must not let this happen," shouted Zaim in the middle of the protest which was held immediately after Friday prayers.

Later at a press conference, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia leader Mohd Raimi Ab Rahim said the use of the world “Allah” by non-Muslims is a highly sensitive issue and many Muslims had grown uneasy.

Temperatures have soared and the country's security was tightened following the shocking arson attacks on three churches in the Klang Valley early this morning.

Leaders from both sides of the political divide have condemned the attacks, triggering a blame game with opposition leaders pointing fingers at their political rivals in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) for nurturing the rising tension. BN leaders have vehemently denied any role in the fiasco.

Mohd Raimi and his peers from other Islamic NGOs, commenting on the attacks, said it was too early to conclude if the arson was done by Muslims.

"We do not condone the attacks but let the police do their investigation first before we come to any conclusion. We still do not know if the attacks were done by Muslims.

"There are also Christians who disagree with the usage of ‘Allah’," he said. "In the meantime, we will take the peaceful approach of engaging the Catholics to resolve this matter," he said.

Malaysian Muslims are divided over the issue, with some saying there was nothing wrong in allowing the church to use the word "Allah," as is the practice in other Muslim countries.

Even among the grassroots, Muslims are polarised in opposite groups. This was reflected at the protest in Kampung Baru when a group of Muslims had called on others to ignore the protest and blamed the group for the attacks on the churches.

"These people are fanatics and their teachings are wrong. Ignore them," said one unidentified man.
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4th Church Attach in protest against non Moslem usageo of Allah.

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Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen visiting the Metro
Tabernacle church at Desa Melawati which was hit by an arson
attack. The administrative office was destroyed in the midnight
attack.



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IGP Malaysia Tan Sri Musa Hassan,Chief Police Malaysia, said the attacks are done by individual group and are not coorinated.


A fourth Klang Valley church, this time in Kampung Subang, was reportedly attacked with Molotov cocktail which failed to explode while police have dismissed reports that cars with Christian symbols having their windscreens smashed in the Bangsar suburb today, hours after arson attacks on three churches.

Police have sent a team to investigate the latest church attack in Kampung Subang which is linked to the controversial High Court ruling allowing “Allah” to be used by Catholic weekly Herald in its Bahasa Malaysia section that has outraged Muslim groups.

Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the Molotov cocktail failed to explode.

City police have also increased patrols in the middle-class Bangsar suburb after people reported cars with Christian symbols such as crucifixes and rosaries had their windscreens smashed. However, police say no cars have been found smashed.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said in the morning three churches were attacked from midnight - the Metro Tabernacle in Desa Melawati, the Church of Assumption in Petaling Jaya Old Town and the Life Chapel in Section 17, Petaling Jaya.


Pak Lah,and leaders condemns church attacks,

Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today added his voice to a small but growing section of leaders straddling the political divide who have come out to openly condemn the anonymous attacks on several churches in the Klang Valley.

"Two incidents happened last night, which were attempts to burn a church in Taman Melawati and Petaling Jaya, are very regretful. The act to pollute and desecrate any houses of worship must be strongly condemned by all parties," he said in a statement.

"The police and all levels of society must jointly take responsibility and work together so that such incidents do not spread and jeopardise the stability and security of the country," he added.


Abdullah, who is better known by his moniker Pak Lah, urged all citizens to work together and "protect and preserve freedom of religion as it is stated in the Federal Constitution."

"We must always safeguard the harmony and good relations among the races and religions," he said.

The former premier, whose father-in-law was Catholic and whose funeral service had taken place at the Church of the Assumption next to the Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya barely a week ago, was very upset with the spate of attacks.

A Molotov cocktail was lobbed into the Assumption grounds at about 4am today but failed to explode, police officials confirmed.

Two other churches were not as fortunate. The Metro Tabernacle in Desa Melawati here and the Live Chapel in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, were torched.

More groups have condemned the spate of church attacks in the Klang Valley today, saying it smacked of intolerance and also a low point in Malaysia’s history.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) called the spate of fire-bombs as “the irresponsible actions of certain extremist elements”.

“These actions display their immaturity and intolerance towards others within a multi-racial society,” the NECF said in statement issued by secretary-general Sam Ang.

“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,” it added.

It appealed to all communities to exercise practical rationality and to listen to the “voice of reason” and strive to make all efforts to foster a sense of greater unity and harmony within all races and religious community groups.

The NECF also called on all parties to learn to respect each other’s basic constitutional and human rights to practise one’s faith and religion, recognising the fundamental boundaries in not interfering with the Scriptures of other faiths.

The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) also expressed sadness over the burning of Metro Tabernacle and the attempted burning of Assumption Church and Life Chapel.

“These criminal and religiously-motivated incidents mark a low point in our nation’s history where houses of worship are violently attacked and desecrated,” CPPS chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said in a statement issued here.

“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,” he said.

He pointed out the government should bring the culprits to justice, show zero tolerance towards extremists and extremist acts that causes terror, and accord greater priority to religious freedom and fundamental rights as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara.

The Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) human rights group condemned the attacks and urged all parties immediately refrain from all forms of violence in reaction to the ongoing controversy.

It also questioned the police’s ineffectiveness in dealing with violence when they had often stopped candlelight vigils and peaceful protests with lightning speed.

“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,” said coordinator John Liu in a statement.

He pointed out the heightened intolerance in the country had been going on for some time and included the August 2008 cow-head protest and groups that have broken up the Bar Council events that relate to inter-faith efforts.

“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,” he added.

“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,” Liu said.

The Yayasan 1 Malaysia also condemned the arson attacks, calling them “morally reprehensible, despicable acts”.

“Yayasan 1 Malaysia appeals to the authorities to apprehend the culprits and to take stern action against them in accordance with the law,” said its chairman Dr Chandra Muzaffar.
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The Malaysian Bar also denounced the violence and said the attacks against at least three churches were “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,” its president Ragunath Kesavan said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail urged Malaysians today to come together and resolve conflicts peacefully following the arson attacks on three churches today.

The PKR president said her party was appalled and saddened by the attacks, and condemned the acts of violence which she said could cause irreparable harm to religious and racial ties in the country.

“Especially since the dispute about the use of the term ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims is a matter of religious concern, 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.”

She said that while PKR respected the right to freedom of assembly and expression, it believed that all parties should exercise these freedoms responsibly and not use them to fuel religious or racial animosity, or hurt any community.
In a separate statement, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also condemned the attacks.

He pointed out that such acts were condemned by the Quran.

Islam, he said, encouraged its believers to respect the houses of worship of other religions.

“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.”


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A church has been fire-bombed in an attack that gutted its ground floor, church officials said, escalating a dispute over the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims.

The three-storey Metro Tabernacle church in Desa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, part of the Assemblies of God movement, was set ablaze in the attack which took place around midnight.
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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Najib: Stern action against Allah issue protesters

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PM Najib strongly denied UMNO is responsibe flaming the Allah issue causing 3 church been attacked.Advise people to protest inside Mosque compound and not outside. Believe the police will know how to control the situation.

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Chief Police Malaysia Musa said no permit has been given for Friday demostration after Friday Prayers.Hence no gathering is allowed. Prostester has been seen gathering inside the mosque compounds.


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Home Minister Hishammudin  denied that he said people are allowed to demostrate about Allah issue.He said the police will know what to do to control the situations.


Stern action will be taken against those who demonstrate over the Allah issue, if they threaten national security.

This was the warning issued separately by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan today.

Speaking at a press conference after launching the first 1Malaysia Clinic at Lembah Pantai here, Najib said the government will not stop any demonstrations on the Allah issue as long as they are confined within mosque compounds.

"We cannot stop the people if they want to congregate within the mosques’ compounds," he said, when asked if the government was practising double standards in handling protests.

"However, it is important that they confine it within the mosques’ compounds," Najib said, adding he hoped there will be "minimal protests", if any.

"We should take it with the attitude that this matter should be resolved through the courts in an amicable way."

Several Muslim-based organisations plan to stage demonstrations after Friday prayers today, to protest against the High Court’s ruling allowing Catholic publications to use of the word Allah.

"Whatever it is, the authorities are prepared even if there are people who want to protest," Najib said, adding the government will take whatever precautions needed to prevent such gatherings from "spilling over to something serious".

"Hopefully it does not spill over to something more serious."

Asked what if the protesters become unruly, Najib said: "If they become unruly, the police will know what to do. I don’t have to tell them what to do."

Asked to comment on former premier Tun Dr Mahathir’s view that the Allah issue cannot be resolved through the courts, Najib said: "Well, there are all kinds of views, but as I said, one is that the appeal has been filed in courts but at the same time the issue requires us to have a lot of dialogues with various groups."

Yesterday, the High Court granted a stay of execution on its Dec 31 ruling, pending the appeal hearing.

The stay of execution was recorded by consent after the attorney-general made a request to the Catholic Church in the national interest.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin denied having said on Wednesday that the government would not prohibit people from expressing their views over the use of the word Allah.

"I didn’t say that. The way it was reported and spun in the blogs is very mischievous," he said yesterday, adding he leaves it to the police to do whatever is necessary to control the situation.

Meanwhile, Musa warned that police will not hesitate to take action against any group that plans to carry out demonstrations over the Allah issue. He said the police had not issued any permits for such demonstrations.

Musa said a cool head must prevail in all those planning to gather at mosques today after the Friday prayers in protest of the court decision.

"People go to mosques to pray and not to protest. They will have to be cool on this matter and let the court proceedings take its course. They should not do anything which may spark off problems as this is a sensitive matter.

"I will monitor this personally to ensure no untoward incidents occur." he said, quashing rumours that police had issued permits to such groups to gather and carry out the protest.

On another matter pertaining to the probe into the theft of two jet engines belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force , Musa said police do not expect to charge any others apart from the RMAF personnel and a businessman who were charged on Wednesday.

"We did not find the involvement of anybody else apart from the two men who were charged."

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3 Church attacked in response to High Court rulling allow Herald Catholic Magazine to use word 'Allah'



                                     Police and firemen outside the gutted Metro Tabernacle church.



                                 UMNO Youth Head Khairy has condemn the attack on churches.



A fireman and a sniffer dog looking for clues outside the gutted Protestant church in Kuala Lumpur.



                         Najib denies UMNO is responsible for flaming the Allah issue causing church attacks.


Police said they have stepped up security at all churches nationwide after one was firebombed and a failed attack on another church in the early hours of today amid a row over the use of the word “Allah” for the Christian God. Authorities are also bracing for nationwide protests by angry Muslim groups after Friday prayers.

The attack on the Metro Tabernacle church, part of a Pentecostal group called The Assemblies of God, gutted its administrative office on the ground floor. A Catholic church in Petaling Jaya also came under attack but the homemade device failed to explode. Police have yet to confirm reports of other churches being attacked.

"Since last night, I have instructed all patrol cars to patrol all church areas. We are monitoring all churches," Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Inspector-General of Police, told Reuters.

Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the two attacks were very disappointing, adding the police and society must take joint responsibility to ensure the incidents do not recur and affect the stability and security of the country.

"As Malaysians, we have to protect and ensure the freedom of worship as enacted in the Federal Constitution. We must always ensure harmony and good relations between races and those of different faiths," he said in a statement.

Both Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub have condemned the attacks.

"Despicable and cowardly. This is not my Malaysia," Khairy tweeted in his Twitter account before visiting the firebombed church in the leafy Desa Melawati suburb.


In a statement issued later, Khairy said the Barisan Nasional Youth strongly condemned the arson at the Metro Tabernacle church.

"Whatever feelings anyone has over the issue of 'Allah' being used by the Herald, the act of destroying a house of worship like this one last night cannot be defended.

"If there are Muslims who are responsible for this incident, they should be ashamed and repent their action as Islam itself asks its followers to respect the freedom of religion of non-Muslims," Khairy said.

Speaking to reporters outside the Metro Tabernacle church, Khairy said the organised protest by Muslim groups will only worsen an already intense situation following the arson.

He said though he personally backs the groups' right to express themselves, last night's arson attack has altered and exacerbated the situation further and pushed the “climate to the edge”.

Khairy also denied that the Barisan Nasional government was to be blamed for the current tension between Christians and Muslims while shrugging off accusations that Umno Youth was involved in the attack.

"We strongly condemn this attack," Salahuddin told The Malaysian Insider.

The Kubang Kerian MP said Islam does not allow its faithful to destroy houses of worship belonging to non-Muslims. "Even during war, those who seek sanctuary in houses of worship cannot be killed or the buildings itself destroyed."

Datuk Marina Mahathir, daughter of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also condemned the attacks as unIslamic.

"I think what is most important on issues like this is the need for a leadership that is strong, unequivocal in telling how Malaysians particularly Muslims on how to behave," she said.

"The way we behave and what we say reflects our religion... we are supposed to behave kindly, speak gently as Muslims, that is what are called upon to," said a visibly upset Marina.

Albeit subtly, Marina seemed to point towards the Najib administration for the rising religious tension and questioned the absence of quality leadership in tackling the issue.

Marina, a social activist, said the attacks on the churches may be a result of anger caused by the court ruling but lambasted such sentiment as a contradiction to Islamic teachings of acceptance and peace.

A court ruling last week allowing Catholic newspaper the Herald to use "Allah" for the Christian God has been appealed by the government of the mainly Muslim nation of 28 million people.

The issue has threatened relations between the majority Malay Muslim population and the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian populations who practise a range of religions including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Christians — including about 800,000 Catholics — make up about 9 per cent of Malaysia's population. Malays, who account for around 60 per cent of the population, are by definition Muslims and are not allowed to convert.

Dominant Muslim groups are set to protest today against the ruling in the capital Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere in the country despite police warnings not to proceed.

"I have advised them to let this be handled by the court. I will take action against anyone who acts to jeopardise national security," said Musa.

Last night, the government's judiciary website was reportedly hacked amid growing anger over the court ruling.

The Malaysian Insider captured a screen shot of the defaced website which contained the warning "Allah only restricted to Muslim only".

Many churches in Malaysia are situated in residential or retail areas and often occupy a small lot.

"It is confirmed that Desa Melawati church was burnt, at about 12.25 in the morning. There were no fatalities. We are investigating the incident and suspect foul play," said Kuala Lumpur Chief Police Officer Mohammad Sabtu Osman.

According to 2007 statistics, there are 333 Assembly of God churches in Malaysia.

"There are witness reports two persons on a motorbike came near the entrance and hurled in something looking like a petrol bomb. Our church is 90 per cent gutted (on the first floor)," said church spokesman Kevin Ang from the Metro Tabernacle church.

It is illegal for non-Muslims to proselytise to Muslims although freedom of worship for the mainly Buddhist, Christian and Hindu religious minorities who make up 40 per cent of the population is guaranteed under the country's constitution.

Malaysia was rated as having "very high" government restrictions on religion in a recent survey by the Pew Forum, bracketing it with the likes of Iran and Egypt and it was the 9th most restrictive of 198 countries.

The use of "Allah" has been common among non-English-speaking Malaysian Christians in the Borneo island states of Sabah and Sarawak for decades and without any incident.

Meanwhile, some Catholic churches in the Klang Valley are reported to have cancelled masses today.


Pakatan wants Umno to take responsibility for church attacks 

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim today condemned Umno and urged the government to take full responsibility for the church attacks.
“It has to take full responsibility for the worsening of relations between people of different faiths in this country in its handling of the use of the word Allah.
"The irresponsible conduct of fanning the emotions by Umno leaders has brought about this dangerous situation. What we see today confirms that this country is being governed not by engagement consultation, sophistication or persuasion but by brute and mob force,” he said in a press statement.
Early this morning, a Protestant church was torched while homemade explosives were thrown at a Catholic church next to the Assunta Hospital.
“The Umno-led government has the penchant to use force or flexing of authority in dealing with delicate issues. Take the case of the ban imposed on the Herald. They could easily have engaged in consultation with the church in Sabah and Sarawak. They should try to understand why the need to use the word Allah without any preconceived notions or prejudice. After all, they have been using the word Allah for many years before BN government acted to ban the Herald.
"They could easily have also engaged in discussions with the various Muslim groups about their legitimate concerns on whether the church are surreptitiously converting Muslims and explore ways to address these concerns in spirit of dialogue and peaceful deliberations,” he said.
He explained that there are already laws against converting Muslims but Umno instead chose to politicise the sensitive issue.
“There is already a law against converting Muslims anyway. They could have done a lot more. But because of their lack of maturity and sophistication banning is the obvious choice.
“They want instant popularity so fanning the emotions of Muslims becomes legitimate... and when the court ruled otherwise they then fan the Muslims to oppose the ruling. The people of this country will not escape the scourge of Umno-led rule until they decide once and for all to dislodge this government in the next available opportunity.”
PAS has also reminded and warned its members not to engage in any demonstrations organised in the Kampung Baru Mosque, Shah Alam Mosque and the National Mosque after Friday prayers.
The protest is being orchestrated by several Muslim NGOs in retaliation against the High Court's ruling on Dec 31 allowing the Catholic Church to use the word "Allah" in its weekly publication the Herald.
PAS vice-president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had said that the demonstration on the use of the word “Allah” is Umno’s position and not the party’s.
"We call on all members of PAS in order not to be dragged in the same demonstration sponsored by Umno," he told party’s newspaper.
PAS backs the use of the word Allah by Catholics because it is consistent with the federal Constitution and Islamic principles.
Tuan Ibrahim instead asked the members to join the protest against the Egyptian government's unjust action that prevents entry of the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza from the country.
The demonstration organised by PAS Youth and other NGOs are expected to protest in front of the Egyptian Embassy after Friday prayers.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also defended his government’s decision to allow angry Muslim groups to hold a nationwide protest against the “Allah” ruling, saying they have every right to do so.

However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan yesterday warned that action will taken against groups planning to stage protest rallies against the use of the word “Allah”.




Najib angrily denies Umno raising tension in ‘Allah’ issue 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today strongly denied Umno should be blamed for raising the mercury in the “Allah” issue which climaxed with today’s attacks on three churches.

“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,” said Najib, who was clearly unhappy when asked if politicians especially from Umno should be blamed for fanning the flames.
The Metro Tabernacle church in Kuala Lumpur was firebombed at midnight and Live Chapel in Section 17, Petaling Jaya was attacked with a Molotov cocktail, causing some damage.
Another Molotov cocktail failed to explode in the Church of Assumption in Petaling Jaya at 4am.
Police have tightened security at all churches nationwide while bracing for protests by Muslim groups against the Dec 31 High Court ruling allowing Catholic weekly Herald to use “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia section.
Najib also disclosed that there have been two incidents and one threat reported thus far.
“I condemn the attacks and those responsible because this will destroy the harmony of the country,” the prime minister said.
He pointed out that the country's multiracial and multi-religious identity should not be threatened and the government will take all possible action to stop such attacks, adding he has directed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to step up security around churches.
He urged the public not to take the law into their own hands and use the right channels to express their concerns.
Both Najib and Hishammuddin had over the past two days said that Muslims had a right to protest the “Allah” ruling within mosque compounds despite fears it might escalate tension in the country.
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said top political party leaders should take a common stand to condemn the spate of church attacks in the wake of the “Allah” controversy and ensure that there is no further escalation.
"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," the Ipoh Timur MP said in a statement.
He said Najib "should immediately impress on 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".
"In just nine months, Najib’s 1 Malaysia slogan is facing its most critical test as its very credibility is at stake.
"Malaysia also cannot afford further adverse international publicity over the 'Allah' controversy, which would only aggravate Malaysia’s declining international competitiveness if there is escalation of deplorable incidents by irresponsible and extremist elements like the spate of church attacks," Lim added.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang condemned the “terrorising” fire bombings against the Metro Tabernacle Church and Church of Assumption.
Saying Islam allowed for freedom of worship, he said the actions went against its teachings and were committed by those who don’t understand their own religion.
“PAS members and supporters throughout the country and the people must always remember to be calm and not be influenced by the provocative actions of certain quarters,” Abdul Hadi said in a statement.

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Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today clarified that the state's intention to police the use of the term 'Allah' was intended to avoid public confusion.
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Malaysiakini interviews people on the street to get their views on a court decision which had allowed the Christian publication Herald to use to term "Allah".
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Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today discouraged Pakatan Rakyat supporters from joining in the protests organised for tomorrow against a court decision to allow a Catholic publication to use the term "Allah".

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