KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 ― Ex-Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has backed Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call for the group who took part in the protest and forced removal of a church cross in Taman Medan to be investigated under the Sedition Act, saying today the incident had touched on religious issues.
Musa was quoted by news portal The Malaysian Insider as saying that the home minister had offered a clear explanation as to why the protesters could be charged for sedition.
“The Sedition Act which is currently being amended touches on religious issues, so this can be considered as seditious.
“Because the minister himself had said so, there is a possibility that it (the offence) might be contained in the amendments,” he was quoted saying in the news report.
Yesterday, Umno branch leader Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar confirmed that the Muslims who staged the cross protest on Sunday want to contest the legality of the church that had put it up.
The Muslims, who are said to be residents of Muslim-majority Taman Medan in Petaling Jaya, had staged a demonstration outside the church building on Sunday morning, claiming its display of the cross is a challenge to Muslims and could influence the young.
Their action sparked public outrage and several opposition lawmakers immediately demanded that the police take action against the protestors.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday, however, that the protestors had not violated any law by staging the demonstration.
He was later contradicted by home minister Ahmad Zahid who said the protest was seditious and warrants a probe.
The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has now confirmed that the church in Taman Media has been operating illegally as a place of worship and does not have any permit to hang a cross on its facade.
