The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Hasan Ali backs JAIS raid on church
- Church raid: BN leaders rap S'gor govt
- Church disappointed at JAIS action
| Hasan Ali backs JAIS raid on church Posted: 04 Aug 2011 06:46 AM PDT PETALING JAYA: Selangor state exco member Datuk Hasan Ali of PAS has defended Wednesday night's raid by the State Religious Department (JAIS) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church. "We found evidence of proselytisation towards Muslims," he said in a statement Thursday. "We carried out the raid after receiving information that there were Muslims who attended a breaking-of-fast event at the church. "In the early part of the event, a person was quoted saying the words 'Quran' and 'pray' in the speech," he added. It was reported earlier Thursday that JAIS officials, accompanied by police, had raided the church during a thanksgiving dinner being held at its rented premises over suspicion that Muslims were present. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim expressed regret over the incident and has asked JAIS for a full report. More in The Star Friday Related Stories: |
| Church raid: BN leaders rap S'gor govt Posted: 04 Aug 2011 06:04 AM PDT 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 Hasan 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. Related Stories: |
| Church disappointed at JAIS action Posted: 04 Aug 2011 06:04 AM PDT PETALING JAYA: The Damansara Utama Methodist Church has called on all Malaysians to lend support and object to what it called the authorities' breach of their constitutional right to assemble freely, after it was raided by State Religious Department (JAIS) officials and the police Wednesday night. In a statement Thursday, the church's senior pastor Daniel Ho related how a group of 20 to 30 officials entered its rented premises at the Dream Centre in Petaling Jaya without a warrant and intimidated invited guests, including Muslims, at its private dinner celebration. "At 10pm, a large group of between 20 and 30 JAIS officials and police officers, some in uniform and many in plain clothes, entered the premises of Dream Centre without a warrant," Ho said. "They entered the hall where the dinner was taking place and started taking videos and photographs. "When asked by the organisers why they were there, JAIS replied that they had received a complaint, but were unable to produce a copy when asked," he added. He said JAIS officers took down details of the Muslim guests before leaving the premises with the police. The church, he added, was highly disappointed with the trespass and action of JAIS and the police. "We stress that the dinenr was a community thanksgiving one conducted in love, peace and harmony, with the purpose of appreciating and commemorating efforts to help Malaysians of all walks of life." Related Stories: |
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