The vandalism of eight gravestones in a Christian cemetery near Kuantan in Pahang yesterday underscores the urgent need for a bi-partisan national reconciliation dialogue, DAP says.

The talks, which had been principally agreed to by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday, must be held “as soon as possible” so as to “douse tensions”, DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok said today.

“Although it has yet to be established if the vandalism was related to the 'Allah is Great, Jesus is the son of Allah' banners found outside churches in Penang, there will be the unavoidable suspicion that this could be the act of religious extremists or racial bigots amid the present religious and racial tensions in the country.

“In this connection, the federal government has the utmost and urgent responsibility to douse the tensions,” Kok said in a statement.

Pakatan Rakyat has been pushing for bi-partisan talks to work out a national reconciliation blueprint, mostly responding to escalating religious tensions in the country.

On Monday, the Church of Assumption in Penang was attacked with Molotov cocktails while Malay NGOs rallied in Bayan Lepas that night following unfounded rumours that a mosque there would be attacked.

Several churches in Penang last Sunday found the 'Jesus is the son of Allah' banners hung outside their gates, done without their consent and have lodged reports over what some see as a bid to provoke outrage.

Tensions are rising between Muslim and Christian quarters over the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims.

Yesterday, The Star Online reported that at least eight Christian gravestones in Tanjung Api near Kuantan had their structures broken with a “heavy tool”.

“Several others had the flowerpots as well as other stone markers damaged, removed and smashed into pieces,” it reported.

A picture accompanying the report showed that a stone marker in the shape of a cross was broken into two.

'Set up talks secretariat now'

Meanwhile, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang welcomed Najib's agreement to hold reconciliation talks.

“As the BN cabinet has responded positively to the proposal for a BN-Pakatan Rakyat Leaders' Summit, a joint secretariat should be formed to work out the details of the summit.

“This can include the government's national reconciliation plan, which will be discussed by the Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council once we have received details of the plan,” Lim said in a statement.

Yesterday, Najib said the government has come up with a national reconciliation plan based on four key thrusts, namely social, political, government and international relations.

"We were given a strong mandate by the people to govern at the last general election and we intend to do so. However, we must look at becoming more inclusive in our activities and events.

"We are open to talking to all parties and we can use Parliament, including the setting up of bi-partisan committees, to discuss issues affecting national unity," Najib said.