Racially bias reaction on splashed surau

When the two boys were sentenced to 5 years for arson on the Tabernacle church, they were given proper punishment, tongue lashing and covered well by The Star. We read below and note the highlights:

Brothers jailed for church arson

KUALA LUMPUR: Two brothers were jailed five years each for committing arson on the Metro Taber¬nacle church in January, after getting a severe tongue-lashing from the judge for shaming the country with their “dastardly act”.

Sessions Court judge S. M. Komathy Suppiah ticked off Raja Muhammad Faizal Raja Ibrahim, 24, and Raja Muhammad Idzham, 22, when delivering the sentence, saying: “Individuals who commit arson attacks on places of worship deserve little or no mercy from the courts.”

The judge said the burning of the church was a despicable act and struck the very foundation of a civilised, peace-loving society.

“One of the tenets of the Rukun Negara is Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan (Belief in God), but you both have set ablaze a home of God.

“The message from this court must be loud and clear – don’t play with fire,” said the judge.

The brothers, both despatch riders, remained calm and emotionless when the sentence was passed.

The two were charged with committing mischief with fire with the intention of destroying the church at Desa Melawati, Wangsa Maju, at 11.50pm on Jan 7.

Komathy did not accept the claim that the brothers had sustained burns at a barbecue on the night of the arson.

“That is crucial evidence and the claim that the injuries were sustained in a barbecue is a fabrication and an afterthought,” she added.

Komathy said the testimony of the accused’s close friend, who claimed he hosted the barbecue at his house, had weakened the defence’s case.

“Mohd Hamzan Zainal Abidin (the accused’s friend) knew about his friends being charged from the newspapers. Yet, he did not provide any information to the police,” she said.

Komathy granted the defence a stay of execution pending an appeal against the conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Azlina Rasdi and Lailawati Ali appeared for the prosecution while acted for the accused.

The Star 14/8/2010

There is an incident today.

Red paint on surau: 4 nabbed appear to have acted on impulse, says CPO (Updated)

By CHITRA NATHAN

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong: 'This is a serious matter, but as it is believed to be an impulsive act by youngsters, I hope no one takes the opportunity to stir up racial sentiments.'

SEREMBAN: Four people have been detained in connection with the splashing of red
paint on a new surau in Taman Pulai Impian, Sikamat, near Seremban.

Negri Sembilan CPO SAC1 Datuk Osman Salleh said Tuesday the four, aged between 16 and 18, were nabbed in the early hours of the morning.

He said that initial investigations revealed that the four had been playing with firecrackers near the surau on Sunday and had been told off.

In retaliation, the four appeared to have decided to splash paint on the surau.

"It appears to have been an act of impulse," he said, adding that they would be remanded for four days to see if there was enough evidence to charge them with defiling a place of worship.

Vandals splashed red paint on the surau and left broken bottles there early Monday. The surau, which is unfenced, was opened on July 24.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong, who visited the surau on Tuesday, said that “we are taking this very seriously.”

“An incident like this should not have taken place. We will not hesitate to take stern action against any individual or group that threatens the peace of our country.”

However, he said, the incident was believed to have been “an impulsive act” by youngsters and hoped that no one would take the opportunity to stir up racial sentiments.

“Investigations are ongoing. I hope the issue is not played up,” he said.

Star Online 24th August 2010

Isn't this double standard?

For the surau incident, Datuk Lee Chee Leong asked it not to be played up as an issue. During the church incident, national and international coverage were given and everyone made an issue, particularly the non Muslims and oppositions.

Kids burning a church gets 5 years. While kids throwing paint in a surau is descibed as "impulsive act."

Does it make sense for kids to "impulsively" prepare to throw red paint with liquor bottles? It sounds more of a criminal conduct with all the opportunity and time to plan and execute.

Would you agree Sessions Court judge S. M. Komathy Suppiah, Negri Sembilan CPO SAC1 Datuk Osman Salleh, Deputy Public Prosecutors Azlina Rasdi and Lailawati Ali and counsel Datuk Hanif Hashim?

We need not ask Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong and The Star. They dont seem to be able to tell the difference.

Can Pemuda BN tell?

Hope both PM, Ministers, Opposition leaders and all kaki sibuk come and visit the surau. Donate money too because Government donated RM500,000 to the The Tebarnacle.

the unspinners 24/8/2010