Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today denied charges that the government was passive in preventing arson attempts on churches in the country.

"You have one major incident (Metro Tabernacle Church) over the past four days and the only thing that happened (today) is the burning of a door (in Seremban). Clearly, we have managed to stabilise the situation.

NONE "So please look at it in that context," he told reporters.

The minister accused journalists of being mischievous when posing questions on the government's strategy in curbing such incidents.

"We have not allowed the matter to spread to the streets.

"I think the way you ask the question was very mischievous," he said.

'Police did their job'

Hishammuddin defended the police, saying he was pleased with their efforts to stop the situation from deteriorating.

"If I am disatisfied with them, then I should also not be satisfied with myself as their minister," he said.

On the issue of inter-faith dialogues, Hishamuddin said the government consistently engages in such dialogues behind closed doors as religion is a sensitive matter.

"To hold the dialogue would spark off sensitive debates. Is that what you want to see? Fighting and emotional outbursts?

"If that is what you want, then that is very irresponsible," he said.

Asked if he supported the call for the Catholic church to drop the Herald case, Hishamuddin said the question has to be referred to the church.

He added that as home minister, his job is only to ensure security and not speculate on court cases.

Hishammuddin also told reporters that the police have sufficent evidence to identify the suspect but refused to disclose anything further as the matter is currently under probe.

"If we bring this to court, we will not hide anything," he added.

He spoke to reporters after announcing the national key results area (NKRA) to reduce crime rates at the Tun HS Lee police station in Kuala Lumpur.