Religious and political leaders across the board are calling for calm in lilght of the arson attempts on two surau in Muar, Johor today.

They are also calling for Malaysians to remain united and condemn acts of desceration of any places of worship. 

Below are excerpts of short interviews with several leaders.

Zaid Kamaruddin, Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) president:

zaid kamaruddin I believe that the arson attacks against the two surau or any other places of worship is a criminal act. If the attacks were meant to provoke Malaysians, this will not happen because we are mature. We will stay united even though there were certain misunderstandings regarding the usage of the term ‘Allah’. There is no point in blaming anyone on this matter.

Ariffin Abdul Munir, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) secretary:

A thorough investigation is being done by the authorities, and meanwhile, I urge the people to stay calm and not be emotional about the arson attacks. I hope stern actions will be taken against those who are responsible for the burning of the surau and other places of worship as well.

Khairy Jamaluddin, Barisan Nasional youth chief:

khairy jamaluddin BN Youth strongly condemns the attacks today. As with the previous attacks on churches and temples before this, the latest incident is an irresponsible act which can threaten public order and racial harmony that has already been ’tested’ over the past few weeks.

About a dozen places of worship have been affected and BN Youth is worried that the incident involving the two surau will make things worse… We urge the public to remain calm and not be swayed by emotions or become rumour mongers. Give the police room to perform their investigations.

Reverend Dr Thomas Phillips, Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) president:

The news has come as a shock to me. This attack was committed by undesirable elements. When things are starting to calm down, creating a situation like this is just very sad. I don’t want to speculate at this moment (about the motive). We have our differences, but let us be positive in our approach. Let us try to understand each other and act together, speak together (as one).”

Harcharan Singh, Malaysian Gurdwaras Council persident:

I don’t know who could have done it and with what intention but we must stay calm and not attribute this to any group or person. Let us not be misled by these isolated incidents. Some miscreants did it, (but) whatever their intentions, they were not good intentions. Let the police investigate. They have already investigated the other incidents and held some people responsible.

I condemn these acts of arson and ask that people with information should come forward, but do not spread rumours.

    

Lim Si Pin, Gerakan Youth chief:

lim si pin We must not fall prey to the mischievous plot of certain quarters who are out there to destroy our unity, trust, respect, tolerance and confidence, built up over so many years. Any attack or attempted attack against a place of worship of any religion is a serious matter and must not be taken lightly by all, especially the police.

The police and other enforcement agencies must step up security measures with roadblocks and patrolling, while the people of all faiths should also be vigilant.

Lim Kit Siang, DAP parliamentary leader:

 

lim kit siang 201108 With the latest spate of arson against the two suraus in Muar,  the time has come for more proactive response so that the country does not continue to suffer adverse international publicity detrimental to the national effort to attract foreign investors, tourists and students.

 

Najib, who is currently on an official visit to India, should give the “green light” for the convening of allparty allreligion conferences to take united action from national to state and local levels to rally the unity of all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and politics to protect all places of worship and restore national and international confidence in the interreligious understanding, tolerance, harmony and peace in Malaysia.