Two brothers, six others remanded over Metro church attack

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal and Debra Chong - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 — Police have obtained week-long remand orders for eight men, including two brothers and their uncle, to assist them in investigations into the arson attack on the Metro Tabernacle Church here on Jan 8, the first of attacks against houses of worship linked to the controversial “Allah” ruling.

They were picked up within the Klang Valley during an operation last night and early this morning, federal police CID director Datuk Bakri Zinin told reporters here.

One of the eight, a 25-year-old, was arrested in a city hospital after he sought treatment for burns on the chest and one arm, Bakri said. The injuries were believed to have been sustained during the attack on the Assemblies of God church in Desa Melawati.

Police arrested him and then picked up his brother and uncle later. The trio work as dispatch clerks.

“The last arrest was made at 7.30 this morning. Three of the suspects are believed to be related — two are brothers and another the uncle. The remaining five are believed to be their friends,” said Bakri.

He said police still needed more time to thoroughly investigate the case, which is why the remand order was obtained in the first place.

Bakri declined to provide any details as to the race or nationality of the suspects,

“This case is still under investigation, so I hope people can give us time to conduct the investigations properly. If we have more information, we will take the necessary action.”

However, based on the official statement released by the police, all the suspects arrested were “Malay youths in their twenties who are currently residing in the Ampang area”.

The statement, which was given to reporters shortly after the press conference, also confirms that the attack on the Metro Tabernacle Church was executed by about 10 suspects, who fled in cars and motorcycles after the attack.

“I thank the public for co-operating with us in order to make these arrests possible. At the same time I want to warn certain parties. Give the police a chance to investigate. Do not try and link the suspects to certain groups.

“The police are here to ensure that the safety and harmony of the country is taken care of,” said Bakri.

He added that the case is being investigated under section 436 of the Penal Code, which is “mischief by fire or explosive substance with the intent to cause damage”.

Bakri claimed police believe the case has been solved with the arrests.

A total of nine churches, one Sikh temple, one mosque, one surau and one convent school suffered either arson, had paint sprayed or were stoned in these attacks.

The Dec 31 High Court decision allowed the Catholic weekly Herald to use the term “Allah” to describe the Christian God in its Bahasa Malaysia section, riling segments of the majority Malay Muslims, particularly in the peninsula, who say it is exclusive to them.

The government has appealed against the decision and has won a stay of execution.

The Herald is sold only in Roman Catholic churches but Malay and Muslim groups believe it is a conspiracy to convert them to Christianity.

The syariah court rarely allows conversions out of Islam as the Federal Constitution defines Malays as Muslims.