BN leaders rap S'gor govt over church raid

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders have rapped Selangor Pakatan Rakyat over the raid at a church here by the State Religious Department (Jais).


They said the Wednesday night raid at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church, over suspicion that Muslims were present at a dinner held there, was high-handed and unjustified.

MCA leaders have demanded an apology from Jais and the state exco member in charge of religion, Datuk Dr Hassan Ali of PAS.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the raid was uncalled for and disrespectful.

"Even if there were suspicions or complaints, the Jais enforcement officers should have waited until the event was over.

"Jais should apologise for rudely intruding at the function, which was held in the spirit of 1Malaysia," said Dr Chua in a statement here Thursday.


"The department, which comes under the charge of PAS exco member Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, has a lot of explaining to do.

"He should apologise for the department's encroachment into the church premises and poor handling of the situation," he added.

"MCA will not tolerate such harassment on activities within the church compound and disciplinary action should be taken against overzealous officers who acted without taking into consideration the sensitivities of other religions," Dr Chua said.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong, who noted that Jais was under the jurisdiction of the Selangor government, tweeted: "The MB (Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim) and exco (executive councillor) Hassan should be responsible for this incident."

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the Selangor government must explain why the Damansara Utama Methodist Church was raided, saying that the action was inappropriate.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders, however, countered the attacks, saying that while Jais was under the jurisdiction of the Selangor government, it operated independently and was co-ordinated by Jakim (the Islamic Advancement Department of Malaysia).

PKR vice-president Tian Chua said: "We hope this intolerance will stop."

PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub said Jais must give a reason why the church raided, adding that "it's important to clear the air at this stage."

The Thanksgiving dinner, being held in the spirit of 1Malaysia, was interrupted by the presence of the Jais officers.

It is learnt that there were about 120 people from all walks of life present in the hall at the time.