Kit Siang: PAS exco breaking ranks

Hasan Ali's defence of JAIS over a raid at a church is a matter of concern which must be viewed seriously, says the DAP stalwart.


PETALING JAYA: DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang has described a Selangor state exco’s decision to defend the raid on a church by Islamic religious officers as breaking ranks with the state government.

PAS leader Hasan Ali’s defence of the Selangor religious department (JAIS) came shortly after Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim expressed regret over Wednesday’s incident.

Commenting on this, Lim said: “What is a matter of concern and must be viewed seriously is the public defence of JAIS’ action by the state exco shortly after Khalid’s statement expressing regret and asking JAIS to submit a full report on the incident – as it is an act of breaking ranks in the Selangor state government.”

In the incident, JAIS gatecrashed a multiracial dinner at the Damansara Utara Methodist Church after receiving complaints that Malays were present.

Lim said the action was deplorable as it was detrimental to efforts to build an open, tolerant and harmonious plural society.

He also lauded the menteri besar for his swift response and assurance that the state government fully respected freedom of religion and rights of religious groups to manage their affairs.
PAS S’gor to summon Hasan

In a related development, PAS Selangor said it would summon Hasan, who claimed that the event in the church was to proselytise Muslims, to provide an explanation.

PAS Selangor deputy chief Khalid Samad, who expressed regret over the raid, said this was a sensitive issue and should be dealt with wisely.

Reiterating the party’s stand that all places of worship must be respected, he said: “To enter a premise without permission or warrant is something that should be avoied, especially if it is a place of worship. This is a sensitive issue which can cause misunderstanding between people of different faiths.”

“It is not wise to make a conclusion that there is an attempt to spread Christianity and proselytise Muslims. So JAIS must explain why this incident happened,” he said.

In a statement today, the menteri besar said he would seek the advise of the sultan on the next course of action after receiving a report from JAIS.

He said a copy of the JAIS’ report would be submitted to the ruler and the state government would consult the latter on how to prevent such incidents from recurring.

“Even if an action is done with good intentions, it does not become right when the act does not reflect fairness and wisdom…,” he said, once again expressing regret over the raid.