By Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang

The Penang state government praises the Telaga Air Mosque in Butterworth for their success in detaining a man involved in the act of desecrating a mosque by throwing a package believed to contain pork into the compound of the Telaga Air Mosque early this morning. The state government strongly condemns such criminal attacks as barbaric. Firm action by the police must be taken against this man believed to suffering from mental problems, who showed disrespect for religion and threatened the religious harmony of the community.

This is third incident this year where places of religious worship have been desecrated and attacked. The first two incidents involved a Siamese Buddhist temple in Tanah Liat, Bukit Mertajam, and the Riverside Kaliamman Hindu Temple in Pokok Machang, Tasek Gelugor. Again the first two attacks were caused by a man believed to be suffering from mental problems, who has also been arrested by the police.

Firm and quick action must be taken against these destructive and undesirable elements who threaten religious harmony and places of religious worship. However the people of Penang are mature enough to preserve racial and religious harmony and peace by ignoring and not being affected by the actions of these undesirable and destructive elements.

The Penang state government will work actively with all parties to ensure that these attacks will not undermine the unity and stability of the multi-religious and multi-racial community in the state.