Don't remove the cross, a sacred symbol for the Christian community, said Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.

He warned that the forced removal of a cross from a church in Taman Medan is unacceptable and disrespectful to Christians, The Star Online reported.

“The cross is a sacred symbol for the Christian community.

“To force them to remove the symbol is certainly unacceptable and disrespectful to the Christian community,” Azmin ( right ) told reporters after attending the monthly meeting for state government departments on Monday.

He was responding to reports of a protest against a new church in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya yesterday demanding the sign of the cross be removed from the exterior.

The church was conducting Sunday service as protesters gathered outside the building.

The group said the cross was put up without consulting the locals, whom they claim are 95 percent Muslims.

They questioned if the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had approved the church located at a shop lot.