By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR: The primarily East Malaysian Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) church in Seremban, Negri Sembilan was attacked today with an arson attempt , leaving scorch marks on its front doors.The attack did not affect the church interior and was believed to have occurred early this morning.

Rasah member of Parliament, Loke Siew Fook visited the church soon after and confirmed the incident.

“The worship hall was not affected, the attack only affected the front door,” Loke told The Malaysian Insider.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan deputy police chief Datuk Abd Manan Mohd Hassan said a team sent to the church had found signs of attempted arson.

“A team of police officers, together with the forensic unit and the Fire and Rescue Department went to inspect the incident and found the front entrance door damaged.

“We believe assailants used petrol to set fire to the door but fortunately, the fire did not spread,” he told reporters at the scene of the incident.

He said police believe the incident took place between 1.30am and 8.30am as a police unit had patrolled the area at 1.30am and found everything in order.

He added that he had directed all police patrol cars and all police officers on duty to monitor places of worship, especially mosques and churches, to ensure their safety.

“I urge the people to stop such activities. Do not do anything that can disrupt peace and harmony of the country. We will take stern action against those found responsible,” he said.
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The first church attack took place on Friday, amid dispute over the use of the word “Allah” by the Catholic Church’s Herald to refer to God in the Malay language.

The SIB church conducts it service regularly in the national language.

Both the government and opposition have moved to defuse tension, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announcing financial aid of RM500,000 for the worst hit church — the Metro Tabernacle.

Separately, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a dialogue with the Christian community yesterday.