The Christ Community Center is the fourth Malaysian church to have Been burnt in recent weeks.A serious blaze completely gutted the Marthoma Christian Community Center in Sungei Petani several weeks ago.Later on 13 October chairs and other church equipment were burnt and destroyed in Christ the King Church, also in Sungei Petani, and Molotov cocktails were thrown at St Philip's Church in Segamat, Johor.The first three fires were the result of arson attacks, carried out by suspected Islamic militants.It now seems likely that the Christ Community Center is the latest victim in a Wave of attacks,which seem set to continue.Church leaders are advising Christians to report any threatening messages they receive to the police immediately.

Militant Islam is on the increase in Malaysia, influenced by extremist groups in surrounding nations like Indonesia's Laskar Jihad. The Government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is working hard to combat these trends and preserve Malaysia's reputation as a majority-Muslim nation where Christians and other minorities do not need to fear violence.