The Muslim community of Taman Bukit Mewah in Kajang should welcome the relocation of a century-old Anglican church to their area instead of objecting against the move, said a church parishioner today.

The parishioner, who declined to be named, said the Anglican community in Kajang would nevertheless abide by the decision of the authorities - the Kajang Municipal Council (MPK) and the office of the Anglican Bishop for Peninsular Malaysia.

However, if given the choice most church members would prefer not to move at all, he added. The church is to make way for a commercial development, but residents in the area where the church is to be relocated are opposing the move.

The parishioner urged those protesting against the relocation and construction of the church - who expressed fears of traffic congestion, noise pollution and other inconveniences - to view the controversy in the larger context.

He said residents should be happy that a church was moving into their area instead of supermarkets or entertainment outlets that would raise concerns for security.

"They should be happy that a place of worship is coming into the area, not a place where people can get drunk and start fights. These are God-fearing people who are coming to worship - not people who would rob you, but (people who would be) a source of protection for the neighbourhood," he said when contacted.

"If it was traffic concerns, there are mosques that also cause traffic congestion during Friday prayers. If it's a case of noise pollution, we Christians pray in an air-conditioned room and don't make any noise (that can be heard outside).

"I feel sorry for these people who raise such objections. I have worked closely with one senior Muslim leader for many years, and I know that educated Muslims will not raise such issues," he said.

Three months

The church member added, however, that the parishioners would not force the issue in any way but would pray for it to be amicably resolved.

"We are not going to fight for this issue. We will only pray for justice. For even if one million people sign the petition (objecting against the church' relocation) but God wills it, the church will be moved there. But if God does not want the relocation, (it will not happen)."

Meanwhile, MPK president Muhd Khusrin Munawi said that it would only hear objections against the proposed relocation after getting the relevant 'technical' input from government agencies.

The meeting of residents may only happen in late May, Khusrin said, adding that MPK would summon the residents concerned to present their case.

"We want to get the technical opinions of the relevant agencies, and this would take perhaps three months," he said when contacted.

In response to an MPK signboard put up on Feb 2 inviting public inputs on the construction of the church, more than 1,000 Muslim residents from Taman Bukit Mewah have reportedly signed a petition protesting the move.

The land on which the church is presently sited, built in 1912, has been earmarked for commercial development by developer Serba Sentosa Sdn Bhd.