Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 24^th February 2012: 

DAP regrets the burning of the Holy Quran by US troops in Afghanistan as it is an unacceptable act of desecration and dishonour 

The careless incident in Afghanistan in which copies of the Holy Quran had been inadvertently sent to a garbage burn pit at a US Army camp and subsequently incinerated is an unacceptable act of desecration and dishonour towards the religion of Islam.

DAP deeply regrets such an insensitive action that should never have occurred in the first place.

The United States President Barack Obama has since issued an immediate apology in which he promised to take steps to avoid a reoccurrence and to hold accountable those responsible. This is a positive reaction by the Americans, and we sincerely hope that there will be follow-through action in order that such an incident is never repeated ever again.

At the same time, DAP also abhors violence of any kind, and regrets that retaliatory action has resulted in the death of at least five Afghan protesters and two American soldiers. We call for calm and hope that all parties will remain collected and not act hastily while investigations are ongoing.

As a party that upholds the principles of peace and justice, DAP stresses the need for greater understanding and brotherhood amongst all people in this multi-cultural and multi-religious world.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan