Zaid: Raid is against Federal Constitution

Stephanie Sta Maria

The Kita president defends the right of Muslims to religious freedom which he says is enshrined under Article 11.

PETALING JAYA: Kita president Zaid Ibrahim said the controversial church raid by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) would not have taken place had Article 11 of the Federal Constitution been upheld.

Harapan Komuniti breaks silence on Jais raid

The non-governmental organisation behind the dinner that has become the centre of controversy after it was raided by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) has broken its silence.

In a statement issued today, the NGO - which works with the poor and 'downtrodden' and people living with HIV and AIDS - its executive director Raymond Koh said that 'thanksgiving' dinner was attended by "donors, friends and beneficiaries of Harapan Komuniti" before it was raided by 30 Jais and police officers.

Jais to issue arrest warrants for 12 Muslims

The Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) will issue arrest warrants for 12 Muslims who attended the dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) last week, for refusing to assist in investigations.

According to Malay daily Berita Harian today, Jais had written to and called the 12 to present themselves at the department's office yesterday to give their statements, but none of them showed up.

Jais' deputy director in charge of investigations and enforcement, Sharom Maarof, was quoted as saying that arrest warrants will now be issued.

Church raid: It’s a state matter, say MPs

Tarani Palani

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's 'prompt' action in containing the controversial raid on a church by JAIS has received a round of approval from Pakatan MPs.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat parliamentarians have distanced themselves from the recent raid on a church by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) saying it had nothing to do with the coalition.

Jais, cops raid church over multi-racial dinner

Boo Su-Lyn

The police and Selangor religious authorities raided a multi-racial dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) here last night over an unspecified complaint.

DUMC senior pastor Dr Daniel Ho said about 30 police officers and enforcement officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) entered the church without a warrant at 10pm.

The front of DUMC which was raided by the police and Jais officers on August 3, 2011. — Picture by Boo Su-Lyn

Ho explained that an NGO called Harapan Komuniti had organised an annual thanksgiving dinner at the church, which saw an attendance of between 100 and 120 guests of all races.

“This is a dinner for people to come in the 1 Malaysia spirit,” Ho told The Malaysian Insider late last night.