Attack on nuns: Was it a robbery or hate crime, ask netizens

Attack on nuns: Was it a robbery or hate crime, ask netizens

BY ELIZABETH ZACHARIAH
MAY 15, 2014

The attack on two nuns on the grounds of the Church of Visitation in Seremban shocked and angered many concerned Malaysians. – May 15, 2014.Netizens roundly condemned the attack on two nuns on the grounds of the Church of the Visitation in Seremban yesterday, with many expressing doubts on whether robbery was the motive of the assault.

In Twitter and in The Malaysian Insider website, Malaysians expressed shock and disgust over the incident which had left Sister Juliana Lim, 60,in critical condition.

The other nun who was attacked in the incident which happened just before the 6.30am mass was 80-year-old Sister Mary-Rose who suffered various injuries and is also said to be in serious condition.

Hi, its me! ‏@kcl1308 said: "Nuns in church compound also get attack by the b*******. What's happening to Msia?

"What the headline says is disturbing enough. To learn that it happened in Seremban leaves a distinct taste of..." said Citizen ABU Walski @walski69.

Zashnain Zainal ‏@bedlamfury: "Two Catholic nuns viciously attacked on church grounds in Seremban; definitely a sign of increasing crime."

Leigh Wong ‏@giokleigh: "Hopefully not religious/racially motivated. It's damned low to attack elderly nuns."

Readers of The Malaysian Insider said the timing of the incident, with religious tension continuing to escalate, points towards it being a hate crime rather than a robbery attempt.

matsaleh said: "When irresponsible public figures use religion to bait people and gain publicity, it can lead to such horrible events on innocent private figures."

TMI reader PNL wrote: NUNS do not carry expensive handbags or wear jewellery!!!!!!!! Just what can the coward robber hoped to get from these nuns????????  This is really getting out of hand!!!!!  Besides we have NEVER heard of nuns getting robbed!!!!!!

"What was there to rob from a nun? A prayer rosary?" asked Harjim.

"Looks like a setup by some religious extremist to make it look like robbery but was in fact religious hatred and intolerance," said BolehBoleh.

MainDuaBola said: "I am not a Christian but I am praying that they recover. What monsters that can do such thing."

The two nuns were attacked just before 6.30am on Wednesday when they were about to attend morning mass at the church in Jalan Yam Tua.

The Malaysian Insider was told that the nuns were found sprawled on the steps leading to the church building when the caretakers open the doors just before the morning mass.

Jualiana is warded at the Seremban Hospital and is in critical condition while Mary-Rose is said to be receiving treatment for various injuries.

It was learnt that the nuns from the Infant Jesus Convent, located about a 10-minute drive from the church, are regulars at the early morning mass.

Both sisters drove to the church and their car was found parked in the church grounds.

The incident was also condemned by the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) which expressed shock over the attack on the nuns.

"The voices of antagonism and hatred have been on the increase in the country and it would be no surprise if the attack on the nuns were not conspired by those out to cause inter-religious conflict in the country.

"The police must investigate this case of outright religious intimidation and fear creation and bring those responsible to justice," said CCM general-secretary Reverend Hermen Shastri in a statement.

Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainal Abu, who confirmed the incident, said the attack on the nuns was being investigated. – May 15, 2014.