The rage is contagious.

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has expressed its dismay over the burning of the Quran by American military personnel in Afghanistan, describing the incident as despicable.

“Malaysia deplores the irresponsible and insensitive act that had unnecessarily triggered a wave of outrage in Afghanistan as well as in other parts of the world, including Malaysia.

“Malaysia is also saddened that several lives were lost as a consequence of burning the Holy Quran,” Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said in a statement Friday.

The statement said this irresponsible act had only hampered the efforts by the international community to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Malaysia hoped that the authorities will take swift and appropriate actions against the perpetrators and welcomed the assurances by the United States and Commander of the International Security Assistance Force that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.

Update:

ISLAMABAD — Hundreds of Pakistani activists took to the streets on Friday, chanting death to America, demanding that their leaders resign and setting fire to a U.S. flag over the burning of Korans in Afghanistan.

In Pakistan, up to 300 people blocked the main Grand Trunk road in the northwestern city of Peshawar, stomped on and set fire to the US flag, and kicked the dummy representing America and beat it with sticks while it was burning.

“The ugly face of America has been revealed with the desecration of holy Koran,” a banner read.

The foreign ministry strongly condemned the burning, stressing that “utterly irresponsible and reprehensible things” do not happen again.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, we condemn in strongest possible terms the desecration of Holy Koran” in Afghanistan,” spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters.