Islamist party PAS has condemned the attacks on churches since Jan 8 over the usage of the term 'Allah' in the Malay-language edition of Catholic weekly Herald.

The party also expressed regret over Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's threat to invoke the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) to solve the matter.

idris ahmad pas information chief Hishammuddin's threat, says the party's information chief Idris Ahmad ( right) , belies Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's assurances that the country is safe.

In a statement today, PAS said that Hishammuddin has failed to solve the problem. The authorities have however claimed to have identified one suspect in the arson attack on the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati.

"Until now the people are still posing questions on the further action of the police on the suspects.

"When will the suspects be arrested and prosecuted in court? The people are increasingly worried as everyday there is a church that is targeted," said Idris.

Nine churches and counting

As at today, nine churches and one school has been targeted following the Kuala Lumpur High Court's ruling on Dec 31 to allow Herald to use the word 'Allah'.

Although the court had granted the Home Ministry a stay of execution pending appeal a week later, after the attorney-general intervened, the attacks continued.

Yesterday, the government, in a rare move, announced that it will call for an inter-faith dialogue between various religious leaders to reach common grounds on the matter.

Politicians from both the ruling coalition and the opposition have condemned the attacks and appealed for calm among the public.

"PAS hopes that the minister will not opt for the easy way out and make this issue into the second 'Ops Lalang'

"The suspects who had committed the crime are not arrested while others are hauled under ISA," said Idris in the statement.

"The issue of the usage of the word 'Allah' can be solved in a reasonable manner and not through violent means."

Suhakam wants police to act swiftly and fairly

In another development, the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) also expressed concern over the attacks on several churches and a surau.

The commission added that any intolerance of religious differences can undermine the fundamental right to religious freedom as enshrined by the federal constitution.

"We hope that investigations carried out by the police will be swift, fair and impartial so that perpetrators will be charged without any delay.

"The police should ensure protection for Malaysians to practise their religions in safety," said the statement which was signed by five Suhakam commissioners.

Suhakam also called for dialogues between leaders of different religions and urged the government to provide mechanisms for such dialogues to take place.

The commission further urged all leaders to refrain from making statements which could be "perceived to condone activities detrimental to religious understanding and harmony in the country".

The five commissioners who signed the statement were Suhakam vice-chairperson Simon Sipaun, Chiam Heng Keng, Michaeal Yeoh, Choo Siew Kioh and Denison Jayasooria.