Stupid acts...

Really hope people of all ages learn from this. Do not offend people's place of worship. It is a big NO NO !!!

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/29/nation/6942623&sec=nation

Sunday August 29, 2010
All is forgiven for teenage 'surau vandals'
By CHITRA S. NATHAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my


SEREMBAN: Five hours after being charged with committing mischief and pleading guilty to splashing paint on a surau, three teenagers attended a buka puasa event at the very venue they had vandalised.

The youngsters, aged between 16 and 17, were seen offering their apologies to surau-goers before joining them for the buka puasa at Taman Pulai Impian on Friday.

The three are now awaiting judgment on their case and could be jailed for up to two years, fined or both under section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief.

Wong Seow Wai, whose son was one of those involved in the incident, said the boys had learnt their lesson and realised the seriousness of their foolish act.

“Let this be an example for other youngsters who might not know that it is a crime to defile a place of worship.

“As parents, we will make sure our children do not repeat their mistake,” he said, adding that it was now up to the court to pass judgment on the teenagers.

Surau committee head Mohd Hasbi Ismail, who spoke to the teenagers and their parents during the gathering, said he was glad the issue had been resolved.

“It’s nice to see the residents together under one roof. This residential area was built four years ago and this is the first time that we’ve all come together.

“We have accepted the boys’ apologies and hope that incidents like this will not recur anywhere in the country,” he said.

The buka puasa event, organised by the state MCA with the co-operation of the surau committee and neighbourhood Rukun Te­­tangga unit, was held to foster closer ties among the residents irrespective of race, religion or background.

State MCA chief Senator Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Tiam hoped this would be the first and the last incident of its kind.

“These boys were completely ignorant that their thoughtless act could cause religious sensitivity.

“Although what they did was wrong, their actions stemmed from a simple misunderstanding with another group of teenagers and was never intended to incite racial sentiment,” he told the crowd gathered at the surau.

“It is important to organise get-togethers like this from time to time.

“It’s an opportunity for all the residents to meet and mingle with each other,” he said.