The remand order on seven individuals suspected of arson attempts on two churches and a school in Taiping have been extended until Feb 2.

The seven-day extension was granted by Magistrate Rahni Kartini Abd Rahim today as the original order expired today.

Remand proceedings at the Taiping Magistrate Court were held behind closed doors.

The group - aged 17 to 29 - are being investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a place of worship and Section 436 for causing mischief with fire or explosives.

The first offense carries a maximum two-year jail penalty and/or a fine, while the second offense carries a maximum 20-year jail term and/or a fine.

taiping arson attack st louis church They were detained on Jan 22 to assist investigations over the Jan 10 arson attempts on St Louis Church ( left ), All Saints Church and SMK Convent.

Molotov cocktails were hurled at the three structures which resulted in minimal damage.

The incident in Taiping is believed to be related to the landmark High Court judgment which overturned the Home Ministry ban on the use of the term ‘Allah’ by Catholic magazine Herald Weekly.

Since the controversial decision last month, numerous places of worship of several faiths have been struck by vandalism or attempted arson attacks. Most targets have been churches.