We the undersigned Malaysian civil society groups from different spiritual, cultural and ideological backgrounds condemn unconditionally in the strongest possible terms the arson against at least three churches following the controversy over the use of the word Allah.
We express our solidarity with the Metro Tabernacle Church
Nothing warrants such deliberately provocative violent acts, amounting to terrorism, on places of worship. Such violence however must not be seen as a communal conflict of Muslims and Christians. It is as much an affront to Islam and to all religions as it is to the Christians.
While we celebrate freedom of expression, no demonstration must be carried out to intimidate others who hold different opinions.
These acts are truly a blot on the image that we promote of ourselves as a harmonious multiracial and diverse society. It is also tantamount to an attack on the cardinal principle of the Rule of Law and the institution of the Judiciary who must at all times be left to decide on a case without fear, favour or intimidation.
We denounce those who shamelessly manipulate ethno-religious sentiments for their political gains. This sad situation has escalated due in part to the irresponsible responses from the Administration which appears to be practicing double standards.
We further deeply regret that in postulating their grievances to advance their agenda, those quarters have sought to convolute the real issues touching on the constitutional right of expression and to practice one’s faith and, with the aid of certain segments of the media, both mainstream and otherwise.
We expect the police to now pursue the culprits in the serial arson attacks with their highest diligence and professionalism. Until the criminals are brought to book, the image of the Najib Administration and his “1Malaysia” slogan will be associated with violence and terrorism. We however categorically reject the proposed use of ISA against anyone. The arson suspects must be charged and tried in open court to delegitimize their barbaric act.
We call upon all groups with different views on the issue to seek rational dialogue and reach consensus.
No issue is too sensitive for rational debate in a democratic society. The threat of violence should not be used to kill democratic debate.
We call upon all Malaysians to come together collectively:
- to condemn and denounce acts of desecration of any places of worship, now and in the future;
- to create a healthy atmosphere for the most inclusive debate, dialogue, deliberation and resolution of all issues confronting our multi ethnic, multi faith nation.
Regardless of the developments, ordinary Malaysians will stand firm as a peace-loving nation and support each other.
Endorsing Civil Society Groups
1. Aliran Kesedaran Rakyat (Aliran)
2. All Women’s Action Society
3. Awal Nahdah
4. Bar Council of Malaysia
5. Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)
6. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
7. Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)
8. Child Development Initiative
9. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC KLSCAH)
10. Civil Society Committee of LLG Cultural Development Centre Bhd (LLGCSC)
12. Community Action Network (CAN)
13. Council of Churches of Malaysia
14. Council of Churches of Malaysia
15. Durham
16. Editorial Board of Horizon E-journal
17. Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia
18. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
19. Federation of Hopo Associations Malaysia
20. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
21. Free Public Forum (FPF)
22. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
23. Frin Jan
24. Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor
25. Good Shepherd Sisters
26. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
27. Hartal Mainstream Media (Hartal MSM)
28. Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)
29. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
30. Institut Kajian Dasar (IKD)
31. Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
32. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
33. Jamaah Islah Malaysia
34. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Perak (JKOAP)
35. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia Sarawak (JOAS)
36. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
37. Johor Tamizhar Sangam
38. Justice Peace & Solidarity In Mission Office,
39. Kesatuan Mahasiswa Indipenden (KAMI)
40. Klang Consumer Association
41. Kuala Lumpur
42. Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)
43. Kuala Lumpur
44. Kuen Cheng Alumni Kuala Lumpur
45. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
46. Malaysia
47. Malaysia
48. Malaysia
49. Malaysia
50. Malaysia
51. Malaysia
52. Malaysian AIDS Council
53. Malaysian Archagar Sangam
54. Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
55. Malaysian Association of Indian University
56. Malaysian Ceylon
57. Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)
58. Malaysian Dravidian Association
59. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
60. Malaysian Indian Business Association
61. Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association
62. Malaysian Indian Development Association
63. Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
64. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
65. Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation
66. Malaysian Tamil Forum
67. Middle Eastern Graduate Society
68. Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)
69. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
70. myFuture Foundation
71. National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI)
72. New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia
73. Nur Damai
74. Oriental Hearts and Minds Institute (OHMSI)
75. Penang Du Zhong Education Society
76. Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
77. Penggerak Belia MPSJ Zon 23
78. Persahabatan Semparuthi
79. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Selangor
80. Persatuan Aruloli Mandram , Malaysia
81. Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara
82. Persatuan Kebajikan MGR
83. Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia
84. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
85. Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM)
86. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
87. Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)
88. Persatuan Meditasi Projan Kuala Lumpur
89. Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah
90. Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia
91. Persatuan Silambam Malaysia
92. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang
93. Pusat KOMAS
94. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
95. Robson Hill Study Group
96. Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia
97. Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association
98. Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
99. Sarawak Native Land
100. Sarawak Women for Women Society
101. Sarawakians Access (SACCESS);
102. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia
103. Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association
104. Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
105. Sisters In Islam (SIS)
106. Southeast Asian Centre for e-Media (SEACEM)
107. SPNS, Bidor
108. Suara Rakyat Malaysia
109. Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang
110. Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan
111. TENAGANITA
112. The Micah Mandate (TMM)
113. Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands
114. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
115. Universiti Terbuka Perak (Ureka)
116. Wanita Desa Sarawak (WADESA)
117. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
118. World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
119. Writer Alliance for Media Independence
120. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)
121. Youth for Change (Y4C )
122. Youth Section of Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall
123. Youth Section of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall
124. Youth Section of Persatuan Wui Leng Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur
125. Youth Section of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall
Endorsing Political Parties1. Democratic Action Party (DAP)
2. Human Rights Party (HRP)
3. Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS)
4. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)
5. Parti Sosialis Malaysia
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