The hardline Muslim cleric told reporters that the firebombing of…The hardline Muslim cleric told reporters that the firebombing of the churches were "senseless", after inspecting the damage at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Wangsa Maju this afternoon."Even in war, Muslims are forbidden from desecrating places of worships, what more now when we are living in peace," he said.
"I don't know if these people (the perpetrators) perform prayers," added Abdul Hadi, who was accompanied by his deputy, Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
Hadi was among several Pakatan Rakyat leaders who have visited the worst of the three arson sites in the wake of the attacks.
The administrative office of the church, located on the ground floor of the three-storey building, has been completely scorched, but the damage was so extensive that the entire building is rendered unusable.Abdul Hadi's visit precedes the visit by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, scheduled at 5pm, whose party Umno has been blamed for fanning religious flames over last week's court decision to allow Catholic weekly The Herald to use the term 'Allah' in its Bahasa Malaysia section.
'Arrest the culprits'
Soon after Abdul Hadi's brief visit, PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan and former MCA deputy president turned PKR leader Chua Jui Meng arrived at the scene.
Like the PAS president before them, the duo were given a tour of the destruction by senior pastor Rev Ong Sek Leang.
Nasruddin said he had issued a statement yesterday to "disagree" with the arson attack, but after visiting the site, he now "strongly condemns" the act.
Both he and Hadi urged the authorities to act swiftly and apprehend those responsible.
Earlier this morning, MCA president and Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat visited the site and pledged to use his powers to help the church.
"This Sunday, the congregation would be using the San Choon Hall (at the MCA headquarters) for its Sunday service. We are mindful of other forms of assistance (they require)," he said.
Ong, a devout Buddhist, said he would assist the church in their attempt to relocate to Batu Caves and is even willing to help with fund raising.
There are parallels in the church fire-bombings and the temple demolishing that preceded the 2008 political tsunami in peninsular Malaysia,” said Jeffrey Kitingan, the Pakatan Rakyat head for the two states, in an exclusive interview yesterday evening with Malaysiakini in Kota Kinabalu.
Jeffrey (left) does not think the arson attacks were isolated incidents which could be excused as the work of “some cowards or fanatics”.
cross-examined the deceased’s mother M Indra (left) on the complaint against Abdul Karim for professional misconduct.
According to Surendran (right), the issue has now taken a more serious turn as there could have been an attempt to cover-up the real cause of Kugan’s death.
Hailing it as a “good, progressive idea”, academic Sivamurugan…
“If the third political coalition could layout and work on a common agenda, albeit differently from BN and Pakatan, it could become a formidable front.
PRM vice-president Gary Nair hinted that the third force could well be a hybrid organisation, quasi-political and also non-political, sharing a common political and socio-economy agenda different than others.
He cited crime, employment, living costs, affordable housing and public transport among issues that affect people's lives daily.
"Najib should be bold to take immediate action to declare Allah is for Muslims only. If there is a need to amend the Federal Constitution to do this or any other existing laws then it should be done.
Meanwhile, Selangor Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) leader Arman Azha Abu Hanifah made an impassioned plea for Muslim unity, particularly among Malays.
According to him, the fundamental problem was Herald's insistence on using the term Allah.
Mohd Shukri Abdullah, advisor of Permuafakatan Ummah Council (Pewaris), clarified that the use of Allah by Christian Arabs was different to what is being practised here.
Calling themselves the Bantah Penggunaan Kalimah Allah movement - a coalition of at least 10 NGOs - the group came prepared with banners as well as a table to collect signatures for a protest petition.
Priya (right) was given daily household chores and when she became more capable was put to work at a small-scale glove factory owned by her guardians.”In the mornings we had to finish work at the factory and in the evenings, I had to finish the chores at home. Only then was I allowed to eat anything.
Her brother Guna (left) was more fortunate. He escaped on Dec 11 with the help of a friend by hitch-hiking on a lorry travelling from Bahau to Bentong.
Meanwhile, Kamache (right) has identified a foster home for Guna and is awaiting clearance from the Welfare Department.
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani- The Malaysian Insider
