This is what human rights NGO Suaram has asked in a statement today, in light of the surprise move that bypassed even the Selangor government.
"Suaram ... questions the timing of the raid whether this is a politically calculated move to divert public attention on the rising living cost suffered by Malaysians, as it was conducted immediately after the hugely successful rally organised by student and youth groups against price hikes on 31 December 2013, which saw more than 10,000 protest at Merdeka Square," said Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng.
Initially all eyes were on the New Year's Eve protest following the government's claims that protestors were attempting to overthrow the government and create chaos with bombs and weapons, that ended with a peaceful rally that the organisers claimed saw up to 50,000.
However public attention since the raid appears to have diverted back to the row over the Christians' use of 'Allah' in their holy books, that the raids have provoked afresh.
Yap slammed the Selangor Islamic Department's (Jais) unilateral decision to raid BSM and confiscate the 331 copies of the Malay and Iban Bible without informing the Selangor government.
"It is ... appalling that Jais gave the lame excuse of forgetfulness in explaining the failure of informing and consulting the Selangor state government before the raid.
"The director of Jais should be suspended for such negligence in his responsibility.
"Is Jais now an Islamic agency that operates without the restraints of law or accountability to the Selangor state government?" he asked.
Following the Jais blitz on Jan 2, Selangor exco for Islamic affairs, agricultural modernisation and rural development Sallehan Mukhyi said Jais acted without a directive from or discussion with the state government.
Constitutional law professor Abdul Aziz Bari later commented that Jais answers to the sultan, and not the state.
Msiakini
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