Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar was barred from the probe into the controversial protest against a Taman Medan Church on April 19, said the Home Ministry.
 
"In the recent Church protest at Taman Medan, as one of the participants is the IGP's brother (Abdullah Abu Bakar), the management of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) decided that any matters relating to this case will be handled by the deputy inspector-general of police.
 
"This is to avoid unfairness in the investigation," it said in a parliamentary written reply.
 
It added any final decision on the case's prosecution rests with the attorney-general.
 
This was in response to a question by Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh who asked about possible conflict of interest in the case and whether an effort was made to keep Khalid out of the investigations.

On April 19, some 50 Muslims held a protest against the Community of Praise Petaling Jaya church to demand the removal of the church's cross.

It has been established that some of the protesters were Umno members, such as Abdullah, the Taman Lindungan Jaya Umno branch leader, and Munaliza Hamzah.

Police had probed the case under criminal trespassing, and the investigation paper was submitted to Attorney-General Chamber for further action.