DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming today claimed that the two police officers had "tried" to stop a Sunday service at the Bethany church in Kajang but left after being asked to speak to the National Evangelical Christian Federation (NECF).

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the cops had stopped the service at the church, according to NECF.

Ong, in a statement today, said that two officers did attempt to stop the service but chose to leave the venue when asked to talk to NECF commission executive secretary Alfred Tais.

"The police have no right to disrupt the services of any religious organisation," Ong said.

"What the two policemen did at Bethany Church is an infringement of the constitutional right of freedom of religion of the members of the church and Pastor Nelson Sembiling," he added.

 As such, Ong said, the issue whether a shoplot can or cannot be used as a place of worship is not for the police to decide.

“It is not a matter for the police to decide, but for the local council, in this case, the Kajang Muncipal Council (MPKj).

“For the police to take action without the presence of MPKj on the basis of a few ‘complaints’ is unacceptable and without basis, especially when no crime had been committed,” Ong pointed out.

Bethany Church, which is located in a shoplot, received complaints from neighbours about excessive noise during its Sunday service, during which NECF claimed police had disrupted the prayer session.

Disputing NECF’s version of the event, Kajang police chief ACP Ab Rashid Ab Wahid said that police left after being told that a sermon was taking place, according to Bernama .

“No church service was stopped. Police were just there to check what it was all about and after being informed that a church service was being conducted, the officers left,” Ab Rashid was quoted as saying.

Ong however said he will meet with Kajang police chief to demand his guarantee that such an occurrence will never happen again in the area of his jurisdiction.

Related stories

Ibrahim Ali's jail term for contempt set aside

Assault on African in road rage viral video

Defending Malays not racist, says Perkasa

BN reps stage walkout as Sedition Act motion tabled

Enforce Sedition Act fairly, urges Subra

'Sedition Act will shield nation from traitors'

Zaid: I'm not a Chinese apologist

Penang acts against 'Chin Peng Drive' rumour

PSM: Police still stuck in 'Cold War' mentality

Umno’s logic is ‘celaka’ a no-no, but ‘keling’ okay

Umno can’t run with hare, hunt with hounds

MCA, Gerakan gasp for air as Umno lurches right

Uthaya, it’s not the time to give up