Najib Abdul Razak, Malaysia's prime minister, earlier said his government was powerless to stop the planned protests as long as protesters did not leave their mosques.
Al Jazeera
Four Christian churches in Malaysia have been attacked amid tensions over the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in the country.
Attackers threw a molotov cocktail which failed to ignite at a church in the state of Selangor on Friday afternoon, media reports said.
The incident comes hours after a petrol bomb was thrown at a church in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, as well as attackers trying to set another two ablaze in a nearby suburb.
Police also recieved reports of cars displaying Christian symbols having their windscreens smashed in the suburb of Bangsar.
Hishammuddin Hussein, the home minister, appealed for calm and moved to assure religious groups in the country that "they are safe".
"I take the events that happened last night very seriously," he said.
"We want to assure the public that this was not a co-ordinated and well-planned action."
Ruling suspended
A Malaysian court had last week overturned a government ban on non-Muslims using the word "Allah" in their literature, allowing Roman Catholic newsletter, theHerald, to use the term to refer to God in the Malay language.
The judge has since suspended the implementation of the ruling, after the government appealed and the Roman Catholic church agreed to the suspension.
Muslim groups held protests after prayers on Friday against the court overturning the "Allah" ban, despite a warning from Musa Hassan, the country's police chief, advising organisers to "let this be handled by the court" and that he "will take action against anyone who acts to jeopardise national security".
Muslims in Malaysia argue that the "Allah" is exclusive to Islam, and its use by Christians would confuse Muslims.
But Catholic church officials say that for Christian indigenous tribes in East Malaysia, who are the main readers of theHerald's Malay-language edition, "Allah" is the only word they have known for God for decades.
Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett, reporting outside a mosque in the suburb of Kampung Baru, said that protests were held within the mosque compound.
"There was a lively crowd, but not a huge one. Some of the protest organisers filed complaints to local officials over the use of the word Allah in Christian literature," he said.
Government powerless
Najib Abdul Razak, Malaysia's prime minister, earlier said his government was powerless to stop the planned protests as long as protesters did not leave their mosques.
Marina Mahathir, a board member of the Sisters in Islam organisation and the daughter of the former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, told Al Jazeera that many Malaysians are "deeply disappointed as to how this issue has been manipulated".
"This issue goes beyond words and debate. I think many do not understand aspects of this religion, which is why there has been a lot of misinformation going around," she said.
Fire in Friday's first incident gutted the administrative office on the first floor of the three-storey Metro Tabernacle church, shortly after midnight.
Mohamad Sabtu Osman, the Kuala Lumpur police chief, said a witness saw four people on two motorcycles breaking the glass front of the church and throwing an incendiary object inside before fleeing.
Molotov cocktails were believed to be thrown into the compounds of two other churches in Petaling Jaya, just outside Kuala Lumpur, before dawn on Friday.
The attacks on the Assumption church and the Life Chapel caused minor damage, officials said.
Osman said there were no fatalities in the attacks and police were investigating, but added that it was premature to link the attacks on the churches to protests by Muslim groups over last week's court ruling.
Heightened security
Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Herald, said many churches had employed extra security guards amid protest threats as a precaution for fear that matters "may just blow up".
And police say they have stepped up security at churches nationwide following the attacks.
Musa, the police chief, said he had "instructed all patrol cars to patrol all church areas - we are monitoring all churches".
Najib, the prime minister, condemned the attacks "because they will destroy our country's harmony".
"The government will take whatever steps it can to prevent such acts," he said.
Salahuddin Ayub, a leader from the Islamic opposition party PAS, also condemned the attack, saying Islam does not allow followers to destroy houses of worship belonging to non-Muslims.
"Even during war, those who seek sanctuary in houses of worship cannot be killed or the buildings itself destroyed," he was quoted as saying by the Malaysian Insider website.
Azmi Sharom, a columnist and law professor at Universiti Malaya, told Al Jazeera that "the unrest is not surprising because of the fact that the government has been pandering to these kinds of people for a long time".
He said the government allowed some groups to protest when others were banned because the main ruling Umno party - which depends on the Malay/Muslim demographic to remain in power - was "unwilling to do anything which would seem to go against what they think is the Malay/Muslim desire".
"This is a noisy demographic and it is potentially dangerous for Umno to alienate them, so this will be a real test for Najib's administration," he said.

written by capricorn, January 09, 2010 18:28:44
written by Divine, January 09, 2010 14:08:15
By the looks of it these sole-ppropieters can demonstrate, they can burn, they can man-handle and they will be protected by AMNO.
written by zviivz, January 09, 2010 11:11:16
No .. NAR has no gut to say this.
written by onnetline, January 09, 2010 09:06:50
Allah will send them to HELL regardless how much 'zakat ' they have paid with ' dirty ' money !
And pity those BN ignorant fools or rural folks supporters who will be joining them !
written by mick_err_stan, January 09, 2010 09:06:17
I cannot lie to my children. But I did stress that we should not emulate or degrade others belief by behaving in this manner. My children, you are not powerless !
written by Sribayu, January 09, 2010 08:48:54
written by onnetline, January 09, 2010 08:44:27
written by Aria, January 09, 2010 08:11:50
written by Davy McChester, January 09, 2010 07:16:12
written by Fart Fart Wah, January 09, 2010 02:55:47
In the world of those who believe in God or Allah there is one common trait. There is constant call for peace, love, kindness and understanding and oneness of the human race in this tiny dot of a planet called earth somewhere in the nowhere among the gazillions of tiny dots in space.
People who claim to worship Allah or God seek to make this common call a reality one day. Those that say they worship Allah and actively promote the contrary should think seriously who they are worshipping.
Allah is not a God who encourages the burning of churches, throwing bombs, or blowing oneself with the unwonton action of killing the innocent and chopping off heads. Allah does not kill the innocent. Nor does he want any Muslim raping the innocent in his name, throwing acid causing havoc, violence and chaos.
Those who do these acts should look at the other side of the possibility that they could be worshipping a violent and dangerous God. This God as most believers know can be SA TAN who can appear as a GOD. Believers in a good God know that SA TAN is cunning , promotes chaos, violence, manipulates , kills and uses fear in ensuring a constant war with God.And this constant struggle is for POWER as we know Anyone today who believed that burning a church or throwing bombs around got the order of the day from Allah is a liar ..and that liar is SA TAN. Power was the thing that apparently corrupted SA TAN.
So MR Najib you are liar when you say you have no power to stop the protests. In saying this you are actually saying look at the power I command. You are a LIAR when you say you want 1Malaysia and allow the citizens to be exposed to danger and the possibility of being killed innocently by your fanatical followers. You are a liar when you standby and watch what your people can do against the minority but when the minority react you encourage violent measures to stop their protests. So MR NAJIB WHO ARE WHAT ARE YOU WORSHIPPING??? DO YOU LOVE THE PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA AS YOUR CITIZENS OR ARE YOU CRAZY FOR POWER to see this nation going down down down.???
and tell your fanatical followers not to shout "ALLAH AKBAR!!" the last time they did it with a cowhead..
fanning hatred against the Hindus and now the Christians... We all know that "God is Great" But we do not want that shouted after a violent act.... for Allah is not violent. Jesus did not preach violence. Nor to the best of my knowledge did Muhammed... and as for SA TAN..yes he wears violence. Which camp do you and UMOOOOOONO MOOOlayus follow????? Could you be sitting in SA TAN's Camp????
.
written by hunkeyboy, January 09, 2010 00:49:37
and the govt is powerless? since when? maybe with cow heads and so on, but try doing to a mosque what these maniacs have done and see if that slimeball will publicly say the govt is powerless?
so, this IS 1malaysia?
written by avancc, January 08, 2010 23:17:07
U mentioned powerless... Yes you are...
U r powerless against raising crimes...
U r powerless against price hike...
U r powerless against turmoil in the country...
U r powerless against violence...
U r powerless against your subbordinates...
U r powerless against corruption...
U r powerless against your wife...
Above all...
U R POWERLESS AGAINST YOUR GREED!!!
U can't control anything...
What makes you qualify to control the country???
Since you are so powerless... Then give up your post as you are powerless to handle it... Let someone who could do it...
We are all powerless creatures against God/Allah... But as we are all His creation, we do our best on the tasks He assigned to us... U INSTEAD, FAILED HIM!!!!
We shall strive on with HIS task... And HE has just CLEARLY INFORMED US THAT WE SHOULD VOTE YOU OUT...
I wonder if that claim constitute a criteria for the vote of no confidence into the public over this matter... For he himself ADMITTED HE IS POWERLESS... AND IT MEANS... POWERLESS TO GOVERN THIS COUNTRY.
By the way... Home minister... U are taking it seriously??? If you are serious, IT WOULDN'T HAPPENED THIS WAY!!!
written by malsia1206, January 08, 2010 23:15:48
written by malgal, January 08, 2010 22:59:49
written by greenpeas, January 08, 2010 22:55:15
Hmmmmmm....I wonder how he came to that conclusion?? There has been no arrests and even the KL police chief stated that the 'case was still being investigated". Does Najib know something we don't??
written by Pegasus, January 08, 2010 22:52:58
written by Nixcloud, January 08, 2010 22:51:58
yah, and your father is as innocent as a baby's bottom - it was him who pour the fuel into the fire with his racist comments in his blog - go shed your crocodiles' tears in front of the Bangsat Negara
====================================================
Najis, if you are powerless to do anything, let ANWAR do it - leave the job. sack your cousin! sack all the police! why have police when they cannot do anything to protect the safety of the people of this country - why am i paying tax to you! ptui! would you have said the same if a mosque was bombed??? hypocrite, PENGECUT, derhaka
written by alpha1, January 08, 2010 22:44:05




written by carlitos, January 08, 2010 22:35:30
written by Sabahfan, January 08, 2010 22:32:46
Of course your govt is powerless to stop the violence against the churches because your own people are behind it.
THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOR YOU TO ISA-ED HINDRAF AND ALL THEIR LEADERS.
there was no problem for you to ISAed some PAS leaders and other oppositioons
But you cannot Isa-ed the bloody cow head demonstrators because they stood behind you home minister the Kerishang pudding.
In other words, you are responsible for all these crimes and FHuck your bullshit ONE Moolaisial because we knew all of you in UMNO are blooody Insincere about this slogan, even though the idea is acceptable to us. NOT the hippocrisy...
IN other for non moslems not to be VICTIMISED further, I think the Catholic church and the editor of the HERALD better announce a self impose temporary ban on the publication of the newsletter and apply to the court to drop the lawsuit.
THIS IS NOT A SURRENDER, this is a survival tactic.
Afterwards, tell all non moslems that all those who voted for the Barisan Najis in the next election including their asskisser component parties will all go to HELL.
We all know that UMNO and only UMNO is responsible for the attack on the church, No one else is capable of doing so. To the hell with regime umno.
Even if you deny any connection with the attack, your open support for the bloody cow head demo is proof in itself.
Just stop publishing the Herald and instead sent an appeal to the UNITED NATION Human right chapter about the violation of religious rights in Malaysia.
UMNO and only UMNO is responsible because they are using this just to take over the opposition states.
written by IbnAbdHalim, January 08, 2010 22:28:09
He said the government allowed some groups to protest when others were banned because the main ruling Umno party - which depends on the Malay/Muslim demographic to remain in power - was "unwilling to do anything which would seem to go against what they think is the Malay/Muslim desire".
Precisely! So, is the government powerless? No! That's what UMNO want and yearn for. It is the only chance it had to remain in power.
written by Wudang, January 08, 2010 22:26:12
written by carlitos, January 08, 2010 22:11:34
written by SamYap, January 08, 2010 21:50:47
written by bambooman, January 08, 2010 21:48:57
tiew niamah najib!!!!
written by StevenO, January 08, 2010 21:46:18
Coming from the Crime Minister himself!!! He's reminding us to change the government comes nest election!!
Who needs a government all too powerful in corruption but absolutely powerless to protect it's citizens and properties!!
written by peter, January 08, 2010 21:33:31
But umNO-nazi party's dogs were not powerless they were at this house of worship:
written by storm62, January 08, 2010 21:29:13
so what can a "powerless" umno pm do for the country? please RESIGN with immediate effect !!!
Don't shame Malaysia anymore idiot !!!
written by toroono78, January 08, 2010 21:15:17
written by Stupid me, January 08, 2010 21:12:37
written by mentora, January 08, 2010 21:10:45
BN may be incompetent to run a country properly but they are pure genius when it comes down to dirty tactics. We are talking about people who have been running this country the crocked way for decades and have improve their wicked ways constantly whenever they are defeated fairly and justly.
Don't forget one reason they lost in the last election is the Malay votes swinging to the other site. The non - Malays may have put a dent, but it was the Malays themselves that crushed BN. It would be sheer ignorance on our side if we keep thinking that they are fools.
What better way to show the Malays than 'this is what happens when you believe in democracy and equal rights and freedom of religion and speech. This is what happens when you allow these people some leverage. Look at them, already beginning to take what is rightly ours.'
All important information will be omitted that will be vital to prove Innocence.
I believe these are carefully orchestrated events designed to cultivate hatred, anger and fear.
It would be a matter of time before Malays from the Pakatan Rakyat are asked to make statements. Questions will asked in such a way that will throw doubt into the mind of the non - Malays, DAP and non - Malay parties. The Malays will turn their focus to their supposedly savior and if the answer does not satisfy them, UMNO will take the lead in the 'bashing' that will follow suite and show the Malays that they 'UMNO' are truly the protector of Islam and the Malay rights.
.... and I believe that is why:
1. BN allowed the petition to go through AND ALLOWED to be approved by the Judge
2. BN claims that they are helpless. Not helpless. Awaiting for the right time to pounce.
The tiger is on the prowl...... it has caught the scent of blood...... all it needs now is meat.
written by archie, January 08, 2010 21:07:06
BTW, the "government powerless" quoted in the news report was in relation to the protests, not the church attacks.
written by batsman, January 08, 2010 21:06:48
written by Wudang, January 08, 2010 21:02:06
Terbakar hatinya yang sepi.
Anak kecil sudah besar lontar periuk api
Terbakar gereja hangus 1Malaysia yang dimimpi.
written by betasigma, January 08, 2010 20:58:46
written by Alice, January 08, 2010 20:56:30
written by Wudang, January 08, 2010 20:33:51
With pleasure we wish to inform you that your 1Malaysia slogan and all the related PR works for the past nine months have gone up in flame of the Desa Melawati church fire early this morning. Three more APCOs or RM60 million will not mitigate the damages done by UMNO goons and its associated NGOs.
By the way, we wish to highlight that the cousin of yours cum Home Minister may either have problem with his tongue or all the mainstream journalist are incompetent in doing their job. The cousin of yours seem to be misquoted quite a bit of late.
Sekian. Terima kasih.
Yang Benar,
wudang
written by nanyangren, January 08, 2010 20:28:29
Why deny your won God? Afterall, both Christians and Muslims share the same God, their only fundamental difference is over Jesus Christ, whether he is a Son Of God or a Prophet. Deny Christians to use Allah is to deny your own God.
Guess those who protest do not know what they are doing, so lets forgive them. The punishment rest with God, not us, for he has said that those who deny Him now, He will deny them on judgement day.
written by Rainbowseahorse, January 08, 2010 20:25:17
Like they are powerless in the cow head incident and other similar incidents where UMNO supporters are the ones carrying out the protest.
What a totally fuked up government!
written by albert zacharias, January 08, 2010 20:23:55
Better resign and let DSAI take over.
written by singhkris, January 08, 2010 20:23:12
written by StevenO, January 08, 2010 20:14:20
written by StevenO, January 08, 2010 20:10:35
Hello Malaysia!! Bye Bye!...........I have gone up in a smoke!!!
written by Lucius, January 08, 2010 20:10:04
I am not assured.
written by Ocassey, January 08, 2010 20:06:33
VERY SOON IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN AS "PRACTICE MAKES PERFECTION".ANYWAY NOTES LEFT BEHIND BY AZHARI AND GASING THE "TOP" WILL FINE-TUNE THIS MAIDEN LAUNCH. IT WILL BE MUCH MORE CONCERTED AND WILL HAPPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY. IT WILL DEFINITELY BE BETTER THAN THE FIRE-WORKS DISPLYAYS DURING NEW YEAR EVE ALL OVER THE KLANG VALLEY.
written by bambooman, January 08, 2010 20:01:28
tiew niamah UMNO!!!!!
written by imanj, January 08, 2010 19:55:47
Please for once,are you able to conduct yourself by first understanding a non-malay or non-muslim?
This incident is dangerous,while cars bearing christian symbols on the windscreen ends up getting smashed,just think is there are occupants in the car and what if there were babies or children in the cars?
Whoever you are,just stop making apologies or excuses,just stop talking and act justly..!
Do you think the nation will sleep well tonight?
Well I will not,especially when I have Catholic and Christian family memebers,relatives and friends that I worry for and what about me and my own family,we maybe muslim converts but we certainly don't look malay..
written by michael chick, January 08, 2010 19:48:36
A POWERLESS GOVERNMENT IS A USELESS GOVERNMENT !!!
FIT ONLY FOR DOGS TO SHIT ON !!!
written by asherand, January 08, 2010 19:41:23
written by betasigma, January 08, 2010 19:37:17
























