No action on church protesters as A-G returns probe papers to police, says report

The Attorney-General's Chambers returns investigation papers on the Taman Medan church protest to the police, demanding for further clarification. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, June 22, 2015.No action has yet to be taken against those who protested outside a Petaling Jaya church as the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has returned investigation papers to the police and wanted "further clarification", reported Malaysiakini today.

In its report, the new portal said, police had submitted its investigation papers on the protest against the Taman Medan's Community of Praise church in April, but the AGC was not satisfied and wanted further clarification.

However, the police declined to reveal what "further clarification" the AGC is looking for.

"We can't reveal this to the public as it is part of the investigation. Normally it is clarification about certain aspects of the investigation and evidence," Selangor police chief Abu Samah Mat was quoted as saying by the news portal today in a report.

A group of about 40 Muslim residents from Taman Medan on April 20 protested in front of a shoplot where the Community of Praise church was located last month, demanding that the cross affixed to the building façade 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 Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's brother, Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar, who said he was there to help calm the situation.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously said the the police has opened up an investigation on the case, which is being investigated under attempt to trespass into a building.

Last month, Zahid had told Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) in a parliamentary written reply that police did not arrest or handcuffed the individuals who protested against the church as they have given their full cooperation to the police.

He had said the protesters have presented themselves to the police to have their statements recorded when requested.

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

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