KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — Protesters who forced a church in Taman Medan to remove a cross from its facade will be investigated for sedition, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

The home minister’s remark comes after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar this afternoon cleared the group of any wrongdoing in the protest.

“Of course action is to be taken... Regardless of who, if anyone touches on any religion, they are subject to the Sedition Act,” Zahid was quoted as saying by The Star on its website today.

The home minister also said any Umno members found to be involved in the incident will also “have to pay”.

Earlier, Khalid said the police did not see any element of crime or sedition in the protest.

He also insisted the incident was not about religion, claiming that the protesters were against the church’s location and not the cross.

Yesterday, a group of around 50 protesters gathered in front of a new church in Taman Medan demanding that it take down a cross put up on the building’s façade.

The protesters had demanded the removal of the cross, claiming that it is a challenge to the area’s majority Muslim community and could influence young Muslims.

It is understood that the church voluntarily took down the cross, several hours after a discussion with representatives from the protest group.