SHAH ALAM - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin has called on the Malaysian government to summon the Swedish Ambassador to express strong objections to the burning of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday.
He added it was unfortunate when the Swedish government itself did not act appropriately in nurturing values of tolerance, moderation and rejection of extremism by allowing such incidents to happen again.
"As the Opposition chief, I strongly condemn the extremist, barbaric and despicable actions of Salwan Momika burning the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm, Sweden, during Aidiladha celebrations on Wednesday.
"At the same time, myself and Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs are deeply disappointed by the Swedish government's stance, as it permits such incidents to happen despite the potential for religious division caused by Momika's actions," he said in a statement on Friday.
The incident involved an Iraqi man who burned the Quran outside a prominent mosque in Stockholm, triggering outrage from Turkey.
It occurred as Sweden was seeking to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
This deplorable act took place in proximity to the main mosque in the Swedish capital during the Aidiladha period.
The incident came to light after the police authorised the man to carry out the act, sparking widespread condemnation.