Najib says church protesters face action under Sedition Act

KUALA LUMPUR — Protesters who forced a church in Taman Medan to remove its cross will be punished under the Sedition Act and other laws if the incident is found to be unlawful, Prime Minister Najib Razak said today (April 21).

The prime minister added that the matter was discussed by the Cabinet this evening.

“The Cabinet is of the opinion that they (the protesters) should have discussed with the relevant parties if there is any objection and not take action that can trigger unrest within Malaysia’s multiracial community,” he said in a statement today.

“Police are investigating the group that held the protest in Taman Medan. If they are found to have violated the country’s law, action may be taken under the Sedition Act or existing laws.”

Mr Najib further said that the public must both obey the law and respect each other’s freedom to practise their religion as is enshrined in the Federal Constitution, adding that it was necessary to be tolerant and respectful of the different races.

On Sunday, about 50 Taman Medan Muslim residents staged a protest against the new church for putting up a cross, a religious symbol for Christians, on its facade.

The Muslim group claimed that putting up a cross in a Malay-majority area is a challenge to Islam and could influence young Muslims.

Mr Abdullah Abu Bakar, the local Umno branch chief and elder brother to the Inspector-General of Police, told reporters yesterday that a church representative named Madam Victoria had agreed to remove the cross.

Representatives from the church told the Selangor state committee on non-Islam affairs (HESI), however, that they removed the cross out of fear for the safety of churchgoers present during the protest.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said police did not see any criminal or seditious elements in the protest as it allegedly did not touch on religion.

This was later contradicted by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who insisted the protesters would be investigated for sedition.

Mr Khalid today said, however, that the police will investigate all reports lodged over the incident. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE