Nik Aziz posters in Shah Alam defaced with cross markings

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

August 28, 2011

At least three banners bearing the PAS spiritual adviser’s picture were defaced around Section 23 in Shah Alam yesterday. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — As religious tension continues to rise, several PAS banners in Shah Alam bearing the picture of Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat were found yesterday to have been defaced with cross markings.

PAS organHarakahdaily reported today that at least three banners bearing the PAS spiritual adviser’s picture were discovered to have been defaced around Section 23 in Shah Alam yesterday.

PAS Selangor deputy commissioner Khalid Samad was also on the receiving end of a similar fate, as posters depicting his picture were also defaced with red ink.

A Section 23 resident told Harakahdaily that the offence was committed during the breaking of fast when many people were either at the nearby mosque or surau. The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, claimed that this was not the first such an incident to have occurred.

“This is the work of someone with no morals. I do not want to say it is Umno’s work but people know who did this and can judge for themselves.

“Defacing using a cross sign is like accusing that person of becoming a Christian … it is not a matter to be taken lightly, but some people are just too ignorant, what can we do,” Khalid told the PAS daily. He said, however, that he will not lodge a police report on the matter.

This latest incident is believed to be connected to the Selangor Islamic department (Jais)’s August 3 raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), on claims that it was investigating a complaint that Muslims were being converted at a dinner the church was hosting for a local NGO.

Tensions between Christians and Muslims have risen since then. The Selangor state government met with Jais and representatives of the Harapan Komuniti NGO recently to resolve the debacle that has sparked attacks from both Muslims and Christians against the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administration

Pro-Umno newspapers have been highlighting alleged attempts by Christians to convert Muslims since the Jais raid on the church. Proselytising Muslims is an offence in Malaysia.

Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia also reported recently an allegation that underprivileged Muslims living in a squatter area near Old Klang Road were being proselytised by Christians under the guise of free English classes.

The tuition centre was subsequently shut down for purportedly not owning a valid permit.