The abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh has raised concerns of worrying escalation of violence against people of faith in the country, said Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

"MCCBCHST is deeply concerned by the abduction and continued disappearance of Koh of Harapan Komuniti, a Christian outreach group that works with society’s marginalised communities in Petaling Jaya.

"The news of his abduction have fanned fears across all religious divides in Malaysian society, as it is unprecedented for a man of faith to be abducted in this way in our peaceful multicultural country," said the council in a statement today.

"Many of our members regard this abduction as a worrying escalation of violence against people of faith in Malaysia, which may have negative repercussions on the interfaith goodwill and harmony that our country enjoys and is rightfully proud of," it added.

The council urges Malaysians of all faiths, whether individuals or institutions, to come together in solidarity with the family of Pastor Raymond to condemn his abduction and pray for his safe return.

Koh, 62, was reportedly abducted on Feb 13, by a group of masked men less than 100 metres from the Police Housing Complex in Kelana Jaya.

Based on CCTV recordings, it was reported that Raymond's Honda Accord was surrounded by several black SUVs ferrying masked men.

The pastor had made headlines in 2011 after Harapan Komuniti was accused by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department of proselytising Muslims during a dinner at a church in Kota Damansara.

The police have set up a task force to probe the case.