Trio seen handing leaflets likely from foreign group, says local Christian organisation

 

Police are looking for the three men who allegedly distributed the leaflets in front of a supermarket in Desa Setapak.

PETALING JAYA: 

The three men who allegedly distributed leaflets on Christianity at Desa Setapak in Kuala Lumpur are likely to be from a foreign religious group, says the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship.

Its secretary-general, Reverend Andy Chi, said the trio are most probably not members of a church in Malaysia.

“They are most probably from overseas judging by their dress code, and not part of any Christian church in Malaysia,” said Chi, who expressed confidence that this was an isolated case.

“The religious harmony in our country is strong. We are confident this isolated incident will be a non-issue as leaders continue to encourage all to respect the different practices of faith,” he told FMT.

Separately, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said it supported the police investigation into the trio.

It said this was needed to safeguard peace and harmony in the nation.

MCCBCHST president Tan Hoe Chieow said the propagation of faiths to non-Muslims should be only done within houses of worship, and urged caution against conducting such activities in public to ensure religious harmony.

“One should refrain from distributing scriptures or leaflets in public. This applies to all religions.

“Police should examine their background as we do not want foreign-based organisations to disrupt the peace and harmony of the country,” he added.

Police are looking for the three men who allegedly distributed the leaflets in front of a supermarket in Desa Setapak. A video of two of them being confronted by a member of the public had gone viral.

The case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony on religious grounds.

While Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution states that every person has the right to profess and practise their religion, Article 11(4) bars propagation of other religions to Muslims.

Tan said mutual respect and understanding among religious communities in Malaysia was crucial, and called for all parties to preserve harmony.

“Let’s uphold the spirit of harmony and peaceful coexistence. Respect for one another is key to maintaining the stability we cherish,” he said. - FMT