VIDEO: 6:12 MINS
A group of NGOs today protested against the planned construction of a church in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya in what they say is a predominant Malay-Muslim area.
Ishak Maarof, who heads the Protem Committee against the Construction of PJS8 Church, said 70 percent of the population in the area are Muslims.
"We feel that it would be an insult if they (the local council) build a four-storey church in a Malay-Muslim area," he was quoted as saying by KiniTV.
Ishak (below in grey), who led some 50 residents and activists in the protest, said he was not against the construction of churches but it should be located at a suitable area.
He
added that aside from the demography factor, the site was also
unsuitable as the four-storey church can be seen from Federal Highway
and the new LRT extension line.
The protesters also hung up banners which read: "MBPJ don't be a yes-man" and "Long Live Malays" at the planned site for the church.
Ishak said the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had informed residents of the planned church construction and claimed it had already called for a public hearing.
"But we were never called to attend the hearing, nor were representatives from the surau or mosques or even other residents.
"The fact that it is being done quietly, to our mind, is an ill-intentioned agenda against the Muslims here," he said.
He said the area would be better off with other infrastructure, such as a police outpost.
'Why so slow for mosques?'
Ishak also slammed PKR's Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is the state assemblyperson for the area, for not being "sensitive" to the feelings of Muslims in the area.
The NGOs present include Gerak Kerja Gabungan Ayahanda Selangor (Gegas) and the Mentari Court residents' association.
Also present to show support was Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) president Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah (right in picture) who questioned the local authorities’ "haste" in dealing with the church's planned construction.
"I am curious why when there is a planned church, it immediately appears but when there is a surau or mosque to be built, the process if often slow.
"The majority in Selangor are Malays... the sultan is Malay, the menteri besar is Malay, the state police chief is Malay, the administration is also Malay, what religion are they (the local authorities)?" he said.
The Praise Emmanuel Assembly Church is to be situated along Jalan PJS 8/9 and if approved, will comprise one floor for parking, one floor for prayers, and two mezzanine floor for other facilities.
Earlier, pro-Umno blogs had also questioned the church’s location next to a low-cost flat, questioning if there is a hidden agenda to convert to mostly Muslim urban poor to Christianity.
A group of NGOs today protested against the planned construction of a church in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya in what they say is a predominant Malay-Muslim area.
Ishak Maarof, who heads the Protem Committee against the Construction of PJS8 Church, said 70 percent of the population in the area are Muslims.
"We feel that it would be an insult if they (the local council) build a four-storey church in a Malay-Muslim area," he was quoted as saying by KiniTV.
Ishak (below in grey), who led some 50 residents and activists in the protest, said he was not against the construction of churches but it should be located at a suitable area.
He
added that aside from the demography factor, the site was also
unsuitable as the four-storey church can be seen from Federal Highway
and the new LRT extension line.The protesters also hung up banners which read: "MBPJ don't be a yes-man" and "Long Live Malays" at the planned site for the church.
Ishak said the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had informed residents of the planned church construction and claimed it had already called for a public hearing.
"But we were never called to attend the hearing, nor were representatives from the surau or mosques or even other residents.
"The fact that it is being done quietly, to our mind, is an ill-intentioned agenda against the Muslims here," he said.
He said the area would be better off with other infrastructure, such as a police outpost.
'Why so slow for mosques?'
Ishak also slammed PKR's Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is the state assemblyperson for the area, for not being "sensitive" to the feelings of Muslims in the area.
The NGOs present include Gerak Kerja Gabungan Ayahanda Selangor (Gegas) and the Mentari Court residents' association.
Also present to show support was Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) president Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah (right in picture) who questioned the local authorities’ "haste" in dealing with the church's planned construction."I am curious why when there is a planned church, it immediately appears but when there is a surau or mosque to be built, the process if often slow.
"The majority in Selangor are Malays... the sultan is Malay, the menteri besar is Malay, the state police chief is Malay, the administration is also Malay, what religion are they (the local authorities)?" he said.
The Praise Emmanuel Assembly Church is to be situated along Jalan PJS 8/9 and if approved, will comprise one floor for parking, one floor for prayers, and two mezzanine floor for other facilities.
Earlier, pro-Umno blogs had also questioned the church’s location next to a low-cost flat, questioning if there is a hidden agenda to convert to mostly Muslim urban poor to Christianity.
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