No arrest because Taman Medan church protesters cooperated, says Ahmad Zahid

Home MHome Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (second from left) says the individuals who protested against a Taman Medan church’s cross had presented themselves to the police to have their statements recorded. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 19, 2015.

Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (second from left) says the individuals who protested against a Taman Medan church’s cross had presented themselves to the police to have their statements recorded. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 19, 2015.Police did not arrest or handcuff the individuals who protested against Taman Medan's Community of Praise Petaling Jaya church last month as they had cooperated fully with police, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In a written reply to Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan), he said the protesters presented themselves to the police to have their statements recorded.

"No arrests were made on those involved in the protest since all of them showed up at the police station when directed to do so to facilitate investigations by giving their full statements. So there was no need to arrest, handcuff or remand them," he said.

Lim had asked why the protesters, who included the brother of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, was not arrested, handcuffed and remanded while Pakatan Rakyat politicians and journalists were subjected to such treatment.

Putrajaya has been on a sedition blitz against a slew of individuals, including opposition politicians, activists, academics, lawyers, journalists and ustaz who have either been charged with sedition, are facing trial under the law, or under investigation.

It comes at a time when Putrajaya is facing pressure from Umno grassroots and some Malay groups to retain the law, which they say will protect the position of the Malays, Islam and the royals.

Two senior executives and three editors from The Edge and The Malaysian Insider were arrested in March and April under the Sedition Act over a report published on March 25, which said the Conference of Rulers had rejected a proposal to amend a federal law that would pave the way for hudud to be enforced in Kelantan. 

The Malaysian Insider managing editor Lionel Morais, Bahasa news editor Amin Iskandar and features and analysis editor Zulkifli Sulong were released after the magistrate's court rejected the police's application to remand them further for investigation.

The Edge publisher Ho Kay Tat and The Malaysian Insider chief executive Jahabar Sadiq were also arrested and released as part of the investigation.

However, Ahmad Zahid said the police discharged their duties transparently without fear and favour, and did not take into account people's beliefs and political inclinations.

He added that the police have opened up an investigation paper on the case, which was being investigated under trespass into premises.

A group of about 40 residents from Taman Medan protested in front of the shop lot where the church was located last month, demanding that the cross affixed to the building facade be taken down.

They claimed the cross was a challenge to Islam and would sway the faith of youths in the area.

Among the protesters was Khalid's brother, Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar who said he was there to help calm the situation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said the Cabinet had directed the police to investigate the protest, warning that action could be taken under the Sedition Act or other existing laws.

The Selangor government had also clarified that churches do not need permits to hold worship services in shop lots or commercial properties, and that only a notification of their activities to the state's Council of Non-Islam Affairs was required.

Despite Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali's assertion that there was nothing wrong in the Christian symbol being affixed back to the building's facade, the church has yet to put up the cross.

- TMI