The church which was the subject of a protest on Sunday did not make any application to use a business premise as a place of worship.

 

According to PJ City Council (MBPJ) public relations officer Zainun Zakaria, anyone planning to turn a commercial premise to a place of worship must apply for approval from the government.

 

"They did not make any application," she told Malaysiakini today.

However, this was later contradicted by Selangor executive council (exco) member Elizabeth Wong who said since 2008, Selangor policy is that non-Muslim places of worships do not need a permit to operate in commercial units.

She said those planning to convert a commercial unit into a place of worship need only inform the state committee on non-Islam affairs (Hesi committee).

"A notification to Hesi committee suffices. And if any local councils have any issues or questions, they are to refer back to the Hesi committee," said Wong, who is also Hesi committee co-chair.

The Hesi committee also advised the Community of Praise Petaling Jaya church to return to the cross to its place.

The church in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya had a rude shock on Sunday when protesters turned up at its doorstep demanding that it take down its cross.

 

Some 50 residents turned up outside the shoplot where the church is based demanding that a cross installed on an outer wall be removed. The church later took down the cross.

While inspector general of police Khalid Abu Bakar claimed the protest was not seditious, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has declared otherwise. He has promised action will be taken against the protesters.

Exco: No need permit, return cross to its place