PETALING JAYA: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) clarified that its check on the Bible Society of Malaysia’s (BSM) premises in Damansara Kim this morning was for fact-finding purposes, and not to harass the association.
Apologising for the misunderstanding, deputy mayor, Puasa Md Taib, told a press conference that the fact-finding mission had been decided during a meeting among the MBPJ’s heads of department yesterday.
“Given the controversy recently, we decided to be proactive and get full information regarding the building. It is our responsibility to know when the building approval was received, to check on its license, etc.
“This is so that we are prepared with answers if any authority comes with questions regarding the status of the premise,” Puasa.
The deputy mayor stressed that there was no directive from Jais or any other body to conduct a check on BSM today, nor has any quarter asked the council for information on BSM.
But he conceded that the council could have handled the matter more judiciously, given last week’s raid on BSM.
“We are aware of the sensitivity (surrounding BSM), and our error was that we did not inform them earlier of our visit and its purpose through a letter or phone call,” said Puasa.
Ismathinoon Abdul Rahman, assistant director of the Building Control Department, said it was standard operating procedure for MBPJ to launch into a fact-finding mission within 48 hours after a controversy erupts within PJ.
“This is so as to prepare for questions from authorities such as government officials, the Menteri Besar, the state executive council or even the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
Ismathinoon, however, added that informing the owners of the premise prior to a check was an optional procedure, and that their two officers had not violated any protocol when they showed up unannounced at BSM’s office.
Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, who was present at the press conference, said: “This is a sensitive issue and MBPJ’s actions were seen as victimising BSM after they were raided by Jais. It’s misunderstanding and I, representing MBPJ, apologise.”
Pua added that he would be calling for a meeting with BSM and MBPJ as soon as possible to end the misunderstanding and maintain good relations between the two.
‘It was harassment’
BSM general secretary Reverend Simon Wong reiterated in the morning that he considered the check as an act of harassment, and that he had not allowed the two female officers into the office.
“After the Jais incident, we consider this as very sensitive and a form of harassment. As far as we are concerned, there were only ‘internal decorations’.
“We didn’t hack down any walls. Nothing’s changed and if the MBPJ wanted to conduct a check on us, send us prior notice and get proper authorisation,” said Simon.
“We have exitsted since 1986 at this same location but never once did they do an inspection. Our question is why only after the Jais raid? We want to protect ourselves from unauthorised people.”
BSM president, Lee Min Choon, when asked if the society would consider legal action against Jais, said he has yet to decide.
“We are seeking a peaceful and amicable solution. Some authority has been very understanding and we appreciate that.
“We want to give them time and space to work. We do believe that our Muslim friends are also praying for a peaceful solution,” said Lee.
Responding to a statement made by Selangor state exco for Islamic affairs Sallehen Mukhyi earlier today, Lee described the statement as putting the Christian community and churches at great risk.
“By saying that Jais followed established SOP, they are justifying the operation. This puts Christians and churches in a precarious position and this is not the solution,” added Lee.
Last Thursday, Jaid raided the BSM office and seized over 200 copies of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Iban.
BSM president Lee Min Choon and manager Sinclair Wong were also arrested, and released later that day.
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