Paint splashed on surau

The Star, Tuesday August 24, 2010

By JOSHUA FOONG
joshuafoong@thestar.com.my

SEREMBAN: Splashes of red paint and broken pieces of liquor bottles at a surau have shocked residents of a housing estate nearby Sikamat.

“I am sad that this has happened as it smeared a place of worship and the sanctity of Ramadan,” said Taman Pulai Impian surau committee chairman Mohd Hasbi Ismail.

Irresponsible act: Men removing the red paint from the surau’s wall and glass doors at Taman Pulai Impian, Sikamat yesterday. Broken pieces of liquor bottles were also found in front of the vandalised place of worship. — Bernama

He said the right portion of the front wall as well as the floor and glass doors of the surau were splashed with red paint while broken pieces of four liquor bottles were found in front of the surau.

The incident was discovered by Muslim residents who arrived there to perform their subuh (dawn) prayers.

“I believe the incident could have occurred between 3.30am and 4am,” Mohd Hasbi told Bernama, adding that he had lodged a police report on the matter.

“I hope the police will nab those responsible and find out the motive of the attack,” he said.

The new surau was opened on July 24.

As news of the vandalism act spread, political leaders came out to condemn the culprits.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said a strong message must be sent out to prevent such acts from being repeated.

“This is an action that must not be condoned, particularly at places of worship,” he said.

Dr Chua also called on the police to take the case seriously and reprimand those responsible.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong tweeted that the wing was saddened by the incident and condemned the culprits.

He urged that stern action be taken by the police against those responsible.

MIC Youth chief T. Mohan described the attack as “an act against the practices of Malaysians.”

“This is not our culture.

“MIC Youth condemns such vandalism,” he said.

DAP leader Lim Kit Siang also joined the foray by calling all Malaysians to protest the red paint vandalism on the surau.

Rasah MP Loke Siew Fook said such an irresponsible act of attacking places of worship, especially a surau in the holy month of Ramadan, ought to be condemned.

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