Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia has (Isma) condemned Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali as "cowards".

The movement's deputy president Abdul Rahman Dali said Muslims in Malaysia are disappointed with their handling of the "Christianisation" issue in Taman Medan.

He pointed out that Muslims felt slighted that the nation's leaders were racing to win over the hearts of Christians and neglected the concerns of Muslims in the process.

"You cannot expect anything from leaders like Najib and Azmin because they are unable to defend the position of Islam and tackle the growing aggressiveness of (Christian) evangelists

"What is more disappointing is when they (political leaders) and Islamic leaders are ignorant about the evangelists’ agenda be it in Malaysia or globally.

"On the contrary, they (political leaders) in chasing votes, race with one another to support the 'cunning' agenda of the evangelists and ignore the concerns of local residents," he added.

'They are testing us'

Abdul Rahman said the move by the church, which is said to be without permit, to raise a cross in a Muslim-majority area is a "bold tactic to test Muslim reaction".

"Their notorious tactic is clear. If we (Muslims) oppose, we would be attacked and called extremists.

"If we allow, they would continue with their 'church planting' operation which is to open more churches in Muslim areas as part of their effort to spread their teaching and proselytise Muslims," he added.

Therefore, Abdul Rahman called on Muslims in Malaysia to be aware of the evangelist movement and not to be tricked by their tactic.

On April 19, some 50 Muslims residents protested against the church, calling for it to lower the cross from a high vantage point and place it elsewhere.

The church had agreed to do this, but the protest drew widespread condemnation both from politicians across the divide and Muslim leaders.

The police is currently investigating the protesters under the Sedition Act 1948 after Najib criticised the protesters.

Azmin, who also ticked off the protesters, said the church could restore the cross to its original position.