Hasan claims event was to proselytise Muslims

PETALING JAYA: Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali has defended the raid on Damansara Utama Methodist Church, claiming there was evidence of proselytisation towards Muslims.

“We carried out the raid after receiving information there were Muslims at a breaking-of-fast event at the church.

“In the early part of the event, a person was quoting the words Quran’ and pray’ in the speech,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said the Jais enforcement team and the police came at the end of the event and made checks although they were stopped by the organisers.

“The main organiser, believed to be a Muslim, had negotiated for almost an hour with the team leader of the operation to ensure that the investigation would only take place after the event ended,” he added.

Dr Hasan said the authorities had found materials to prove there was non-Islamic preaching although there were attempts to get rid of the evidence.

“Some of the participants tried to escape via the back door of the premises but they were stopped by Jais officers,” he said.

According to the statement, there were 12 Muslims at the event and they had been ordered to turn up at the Jais enforcement office for further investigation.

“There was no raid and arrest made. Jais only conducted examinations after negotiations with the organisers.

“Based on initial investigations, those involved can be charged under Section 10 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995,” he said.

In an immediate response, a Jais official said the raid was justified.

“The public will soon know why we carried out the raid,” he said.

“But we can’t furnish details at the moment because it may jeopardise our investigation.” The official said they have submitted a report to the state government.

“We hope all quarters will stop speculating. Wait for the outcome of the investigation,” he said. - The Star, Friday August 5, 2011