Published: Friday May 11, 2012 MYT 10:21:00 PM

Church raid carried out following evidence of proselytisation

SHAH ALAM: The raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church on Aug 3 last year was conducted after a seven-month investigation showed that there was evidence of proselytisation towards Muslims, the High Court here was told.

Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director Datuk Marzuki Hussin said the investigation was carried out by Jais' research and development department before referring it to the enforcement division for further action.

Marzuki said he was informed about the raid by Jais chief assistant director (enforcement) by the name of Mohd Rais the next day.

To a question by lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, Marzuki admitted that Jais informed the Selangor executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs about the raid, but there was no mention of Umno in the report.

Marzuki was testifying on the second day hearing of a RM10mil defamation suit filed by Selangor Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed against PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and three others in relation to the church raid.

The suit, filed on Sept 14 last year, named Mustafa, Harakah publisher Angkatan Edaran Ent Sdn Bhd, the paper's editor Ahmad Lutfi Othman and reporter Khairul Azlam Mohamad as defendants.

In his statement of claim, Mohd Zin said Mustafa, in an interview with Khairul Azlan, had allegedly defamed Umno by accusing the party of playing a role in the raid in an article published between Aug 19 and 21, 2011.

Cross-examined by lawyer Mohd Asmuni Awi, who represented Mustafa, whether he knew which church was involved in proselytising Muslims, Marzuki said he had no knowledge about it.

Asked by lawyer Zulhazmi Shariff, who represented Angkatan Edaran, whether Jais officers were involved in any political party, the witness said as far he knew there were none.

When asked about his membership in political party, Marzuki said he is an Umno member, but this had nothing to do with the church raid as he was carrying out his duty according to the law.

"As government officers in the management and professional divisions, we are not allowed to be active in politics and cannot take sides and must remain neutral.

"We cannot hold office in any political party, but we are not barred from joining any political party," he said.

The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Zaki Husin continues on June 14. - Bernama

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