Bersih twist to church raid saga

An email is circulating claiming that the controversial JAIS raid could be more about politics than religion.

PETALING JAYA: Amidst the simmering tension over the controversial raid on a church by Islamic authorities, a conspiracy theory has surfaced linking the incident to the Bersih 2.0 rally.

An email being circulated alleged collusion between Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Selangor exco for religious affairs Hasan Ali, one of those in PAS supportive of a unity government with Umno.

The email claimed that the minister wanted to teach the Christian community a lesson for backing the July 9 street protest, which dealt a massive blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s administration.

Last Wednesay, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) together with the police raided the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) after receiving complaints that Muslims were present at a dinner event there.

JAIS later clarified that it was not a raid but an inspection done to check if there was proselytizing of Muslims by Christians. The matter is being investigated under Section 4 of the Non-Islamic Religious Enactment 1988.

Organisers of the dinner had denied the allegation, stating that the event was to raise funds for a HIV/AIDS campaign.

While Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim had expressed regret over the incident, his exco Hasan defended JAIS and the latter was backed by PAS Youth.

‘MCA and Umno leaders told in advance’

However, the email claimed that the raid had little to do with attempts to convert Muslims to Christianity but “had everything to do with Bersih 2.0.”

It alleged that DUMC’s pastor Daniel Ho hosted Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan and members of the polls watchdog’s committee the week before.

“Since last week Hishammuddin has been in touch with Hasan through their proxies on finding a way to teach Ho and the Christian community a lesson for supporting Bersih…

“Hishammuddin wanted to show that he was not afraid to take anyone on. That is why the police could not produce a warrant or JAIS produce a copy of the complaint.

“Hishammuddin has always thought of himself as above the law and is the law,” read the email.

It also claimed that Umno and MCA leaders were informed in advance of the raid and advised to prepare statements to condemn Pakatan Rakyat over the matter.

“This is an effort to conceal the link between Hishammuddin and Hasan,” stated the email, adding that the home minister and Umno considered Bersih 2.0 as the biggest threat to their political future.

“Any support for Bersih 2.0 therefore must be nipped in the bud. The accusation of attempts to proselytize Muslims by the DUMC church is just a distraction from the actual truth,” it added.

Deputy IGP: Don’t spread rumours

Contacted later, Ambiga clarified that the second round of her debate with the Election Commission was held at the DUMC hall.

The former Bar Council chairman stressed that the pastor did not “host” her or the Bersih 2.0 committee as alleged in the email.

On the allegation that the JAIS raid was linked to Bersih 2.0, she said: “If the basis of the allegation is on the false claim that the pastor hosted us, then it renders the entire thing baseless.”

Similarly, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar dismissed the contents of the email as ridiculous and warned all quarters against disseminating such allegations.

Speaking to FMT, he said the police had not received any indication of the JAIS raid being linked to the Bersih 2.0 rally or the existence of a political conspiracy.

“These allegations can stoke confusion and tension between people of different faiths. I urge the public not to believe or spread such rumours,” he added.

Khalid said if a police report was lodged, the email would be investigated.

Bishop: Issue has become convoluted

Commenting on the email, Catholic leader Bishop Paul Tan said the issue had become so convoluted that it was difficult to disentangle fact from fiction.

“The authorities are to blame because they rushed to judgment without presenting proof of their finding that there has been proselytization of Muslims by Christians.

“I have said from the outset there are no two ways about this matter: either the accusation is proven, in which case, Christians must take corrective and contrite action, or Christians are owed an apology by the parties who leveled the accusation,” he told FMT.

The head of the Malacca and Johor diocese also saw no point in asking the authorities to investigate the allegation contained in the email.

“What has become of the investigations into the incident in Penang in May when Christians were accused of plotting to dethrone Islam as the official religion of this country?” he asked.

As for the deputy police chief’s dimissal of the allegation, Tan preferred not to share his views but launched a broadside against Khalid.

“I don’t want to talk about the deputy IGP. He appears unable to distinguish between the interests of the ruling coalition and his duty to the public.

“After the horses have bolted the stable, it’s pointless to close the barn,” he said.

A political commentator, who declined to be named, pointed out that the Bersih 2.0 rally had blurred racial and religious lines, bringing people together for a common cause.

“In Malaysia, race and religion are powerful political tools and it serves the interest of some to fan suspicion and drive a wedge among those of different faiths. This is a political fact. It does not necessarily lend merit to the claims made in the email,” he said, declining to comment further.