2010 attacks against places of worship in Malaysia

Religiously motivated crimes in Malaysia July 2014 June 2020 Attacks against places of worship in Malaysia were carried out in January 2010 in response to Malaysia v. The Herald, a controversial court decision holding government regulations prohibiting non-Muslim publications from using the word 'Allah' to be unconstitutional. The government and many religious leaders condemned the attacks and called for calm and unity among Malaysians. Attacks A total of 10 churches and few mosques have been attacked or vandalized since 31 December 2009 decision in Malaysia vs. The Herald. Only one church has been seriously damaged and no deaths or major injuries have been reported.http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49744-tenth-church-hit-attack-in-seremban Tenth church hit, attack in Seremban Malaysian Insider 16 January 2010 16 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100117231056/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49744-tenth-church-hit-attack-in-seremban 17 January 2010 dead Three churcheshttp://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/9/nation/5442304&sec=nation Najib condemns attacks The Star 9 January 2010 9 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110604053131/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F9%2Fnation%2F5442304&sec=nation 4 June 2011 dead in Kuala Lumpur were subject to an arson attack. One suffered considerable damage; witnesses saw two individuals throwing "something looking like a petrol bomb".http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-45233720100107?sp=true https://archive.today/20120712133414/http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-45233720100107?sp=true dead 12 July 2012 Malaysia church torched amid Allah row Reuters 8 January 2010 8 January 2010 As a result, the police stepped up security at all churches.http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48918-security-tightened-as-politicians-condemn-church-attacks Security tightened as politicians condemn church attacks The Malaysian Insider 8 January 2010 8 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100111073800/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48918-security-tightened-as-politicians-condemn-church-attacks 11 January 2010 dead On 8 January 2010, preparations for another attack were found at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jalan Othman which is located about 1.5 km from the Assumption Church in Jalan Templer.http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F10%2Fnation%2F5445109&sec=nation Fourth attack only discovered yesterday 15 January 2010 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100115064128/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F10%2Fnation%2F5445109&sec=nation live In the early morning of Sunday, 10 January 2010, the All Saints' Church at Taiping and a Catholic Convent school were shocked with the discovery of Molotov cocktails near church grounds. Black paint was thrown at the Malacca Baptist Church in Durian Daun.http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F10%2Fnation%2F20100110121327&sec=nation Two arson bids in Taiping, black paint hurled at Malacca church (Update 3) The Star Online 14 January 2010 14 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100114022713/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F10%2Fnation%2F20100110121327&sec=nation live Sunday worship at targeted churches went on smoothly just a few days after the attacks. The Metro Tabernacle Church, which was badly damaged in the attack on 8 January, held services at the Wisma MCA’s Dewan San Choon and churchgoers were said to be, "somber but joyful." Roughly 1,700 members of the Protestant church packed the hall for joint Mandarin and English services."Smooth Sunday services at churches", The Star, 11 January 2010, Apart from Christian churches, a Muslim surau in Klang, Selangor and a Sikh gurdwara in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur were also attacked on 10 January 2010 and 12 January 2010 respectively. In a later incident, a rum bottle was thrown into the compound of a mosque in Sarawak on 16 January 2010.http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article81279.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20120910120505/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article81279.ece dead 10 September 2012 The Hindu Rum bottle thrown at Malaysia mosque amid tension 18 January 2010 Chennai, India 16 January 2010 While authorities have denied any links to these attacks with the spate of church attacks, Sikhs also use the term Allah to describe God in the Punjabi language and the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council unsuccessfully sought to be a party to the Malaysia v. The Herald. List of attacks on places of worship in Malaysia + Institution Religion / Denomination Location DateMetro Tabernacle Assembly of Godhttp://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_474843.html Straits Times 8 January 2010 M'sian church fire-bombed 8 January 2010Christian (Assemblies of God)Desa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur8 January 2010Church of the Assumptionhttp://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48906-pj-catholic-church-attacked Malaysian Insider Press 8 January 2010 Fire attack fails in PJ church 8 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100110063851/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48906-pj-catholic-church-attacked 10 January 2010 deadChristian (Roman Catholic)Petaling Jaya, Selangor8 January 2010The Life Chapelhttp://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48930-igp-confirms-three-churches-hit Malaysian Insider 8 January 2010 IGP confirms three churches hit 8 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100110063914/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48930-igp-confirms-three-churches-hit 10 January 2010 deadChristian (Christian Brethren)Petaling Jaya, Selangor8 January 2010LCMS Good Shepherd Congregationhttp://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49037-pj-church-attacked-minor-damage Malaysian Insider 9 January 2010 PJ church attacked, minor damage 9 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100112104958/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49037-pj-church-attacked-minor-damage 12 January 2010 deadChristian (Lutheran)Petaling Jaya, Selangor9 January 2010Surau Taman Menara Majuhttp://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49086-brick-hurled-at-taman-menara-maju-surau Malaysian Insider 10 January 2010 Brick hurled at Taman Menara Maju surau 16 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113145437/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49086-brick-hurled-at-taman-menara-maju-surau 13 January 2010 dead IslamKlang, Selangor10 January 2010All Saints' Churchhttp://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49109-failed-attack-at-taiping-church-convent-school Malaysian Insider 10 January 2010 Failed attack at Taiping church, convent school 10 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100112121052/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49109-failed-attack-at-taiping-church-convent-school 12 January 2010 deadChristian (Anglican)Taiping, Perak10 January 2010Malacca Baptist Churchhttp://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/11/nation/5447587&sec=nation https://web.archive.org/web/20100114023041/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F11%2Fnation%2F5447587&sec=nation dead 14 January 2010 The Star 11 January 2010 New cases of attempted arson and vandalism being probed 12 January 2010Christian (Baptist)Malacca Town, Malacca10 January 2010The Church of Good Shepherdhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8450713.stm BBC News 10 January 2010 More Malaysian churches attacked in Allah dispute 12 January 2010Christian (Anglican)Miri, Sarawak10 January 2010SIB Serembanhttp://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49181-ns-cops-confirm-eighth-church-attack Malaysian Insider 11 January 2010 NS cops confirm eighth church attack 12 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100112121139/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49181-ns-cops-confirm-eighth-church-attack 12 January 2010 deadChristian (Sidang Injil Borneo)Seremban, Negeri Sembilan11 January 2010Gurdwara Sahib Sentulhttp://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49449-sikhs-urge-public-not-to-speculate-on-temple-attack- Malaysian Insider 13 January 2010 Sikhs urge public not to speculate on temple attack 16 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100116154719/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49449-sikhs-urge-public-not-to-speculate-on-temple-attack- 16 January 2010 deadSikhSentul, Kuala Lumpur12 January 2010Church of St. Elizabethhttp://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/14/nation/20100114124758&sec=nation The Star Online 14 January 2010 Church in Johor splashed with red paint 14 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100116215033/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F14%2Fnation%2F20100114124758&sec=nation 16 January 2010 deadChristian (Roman Catholic)Kota Tinggi, Johor14 January 2010Grace Global Prayer ChurchChristian (Independent)Seremban, Negeri Sembilan15 January 2010Unnamed mosquehttp://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_478464.html The Straits Times 16 January 2010 Vandals attack mosque 27 August 2010IslamSarawak16 January 2010 Political response All major political parties in Malaysia consisting of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalitionMuhyiddin leads leaders in condemning church arson The Star Malaysia 9 January 2010 http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/9/nation/5440994&sec=nation 9 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100116073814/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F9%2Fnation%2F5440994&sec=nation 16 January 2010 dead and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat parties,Vandalism is never the answer, says Khalid The Star Malaysia 9 January 2010 http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/9/nation/5441240&sec=nation 9 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100116073830/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F1%2F9%2Fnation%2F5441240&sec=nation 16 January 2010 dead including the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), who labelled the attacks as contradicting the teachings of IslamChurch attacks condemned, concerns grow Harakah Daily 8 January 2010 http://www.harakahdaily.net/v2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24115:church-attacks-condemned-concerns-grow&catid=1:utama&Itemid=50 9 January 2010 October 2010 H3llBot had united in condemnation of these attacks. Government reaction Najib Razak, the prime minister of Malaysia at the time, condemned the church bombings, directed police to increase security at all places of worship, and called for unity amongst the Malaysian people.Farrah Naz Karim (9 January 2010), "PM slams bid to burn churches"September 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes , New Straits Times The government will hold inter-faith dialogues including prominent religious leaders to find "common denominators of understanding." Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the government has already met separately with religious groups."Govt to hold inter-faith dialogues to resolve differences of views", The Star, 11 January 2010, Najib visited the church most badly damaged in the attacks, the Protestant Metro Tabernacle church in Kuala Lumpur and promised a grant of RM500,000 to assist with reconstruction. CIMB Foundation donated an additional RM100,000 to the church.Parry, Richard Lloyd (11 January 2010). "Malaysia's Prime Minister intervenes to defuse religious violence"September 2024 medicmedic. The Times.http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49048-najib-announces-rm500000-aid-for-gutted-church Najib announces RM500,000 aid for gutted church Malaysian Insider 9 January 2010 30 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100112105020/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49048-najib-announces-rm500000-aid-for-gutted-church 12 January 2010 dead The Malaysia Home Affairs Ministry met with over 60 foreign diplomats for a briefing to discuss the attacks and security issues on 11 January 2010. Secretary-General of the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry, Mahmood Adam, emphasized that Malaysia is still a safe country and that daily life has not been significantly disrupted."Malaysia still safe despite arson attacks: official", Xinhua, 11 January 2010"They wanted to know what the guarantees are that their safety and safety of others are ensured. Those are some of the issues raised but most importantly, they wanted to understand the situation here and we explained that Malaysia is totally different," the home minister said."Home ministry seeks to reassure foreign missions", Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, Malaysia Insider, 11 January 2010 Opposition reaction Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, stated that the UMNO-controlled newspaper Utusan Malaysia's "racist propaganda" over the Allah issue and "inflammatory rhetoric" both contributed to the spate of arson attacks. and that the publication must be held responsible.http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49126-anwar-meets-christians-to-defuse-tension Anwar meets Christians to defuse tension Malaysian Insider 10 January 2010 10 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113145513/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/49126-anwar-meets-christians-to-defuse-tension 13 January 2010 dead PKR vice-president Azmin Ali has claimed that at least four UMNO members were involved in the arson attack on the Metro Tabernacle church.http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48920-pakatan-wants-umno-to-take-responsibility-for-church-attacks Azmin claims Umno men among church arson suspects Malaysian Insider 28 January 2010 30 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100131091144/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48920-pakatan-wants-umno-to-take-responsibility-for-church-attacks 31 January 2010 deadhttp://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=42890 Hishammuddin: Police don't need Azmin's statement Sun2Surf 28 January 2010 30 January 2010May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Local community and international reaction The 2010 church attacks generated strong condemnation from Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Roughly 130 Muslim non-profit organisations and volunteer police officers have stepped forward to provide security for churches."Malaysian Police Probe Eight Incidents as Church Attacks Mount", Bloomberg, 11 January 2010 Police investigation Police say that eight suspects have been arrested in connection to the arson committed at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati."8 arrested in connection with church fire", Bernama, 20 January 2010 The first suspect was arrested when seeking treatment for burns on his chest and arms at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Information obtained during this arrest led to the capture of seven other suspects."Eight detained for church arson", Malaysian Mirror, 20 January 2010 The police and government officials have asked the public not to fan religious and ethnic tension by spreading rumours via the internet and text messages. Ismail said, "Please don't play the fool by posting fake information on the Internet through Facebook, blogs or via SMS. Please come to us if you have any information.""Lead on church arson suspects", Andrew Sagayam, The Star, 14 January 2010 Police are investigating posts on Facebook claiming to have witnessed the making of explosives used in the attacks. Police have warned that the claims may be a hoax.Cops probe posting by 'witness', The Star, 12 January 2010 Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar says that the police are also investigating reports of seditious and racially inflammatory activity on blogs."Church attacks: Cops investigating Facebook posting", Steven Daniel, The Star, 11 January 2010 The student responsible for at least some of the posts has been arrested and released on bail. Prosecutions Azuwan Shah, a Malaysia Muslim, was prosecuted for his alleged role in starting a fire at a Protestant church on 8 January 2010 but acquitted due to lack of evidence in July of the same year. Two witnesses said Azuwan was not at the church when the fire started.Malaysian Muslim acquitted of torching church, AP, 30 July 2010 Two brothers, Raja Mohamad Faizal Raja Ibrahim, aged 24, and Raja Mohamad Idzham Raja Ibrahim, aged 22, also Muslim, were charged and convicted in the same attack. The pair were convicted of "mischief by fire" on 13 August 2010. Komathy Suppiah, a district court judge in Kuala Lumpur, presided over the trial. She called the attack "appalling and despicable" and told the brothers that their conduct, "...strikes at the very foundations and tenets of a civilised society." As of 17 August 2010 the brothers have not yet been sentenced but face a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.Malaysia church arsonists convicted, Al Jazeera, 13 August 2010 References Malaysia Crime Religion Category:2010 crimes in Malaysia Category:January 2010 crimes in Asia Category:Religiously motivated violence in Malaysia Attacks on religious buildings and structures in Asia Category:Islamist attacks on churches Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2010 Category:Anti-Christian sentiment in Malaysia Category:Attacks on mosques in Asia Category:Islamist attacks on mosques Category:Persecution of Sikhs Category:Church arson in Asia Category:Fires in Malaysia Category:Arson in 2010 Category:2010 fires in Asia Category:2010 in Christianity Category:2010 in Islam Category:Sikhism in Malaysia Category:Attacks on mosques in the 2010s Category:Attacks on religious buildings and structures in the 2010s