SHAH ALAM, May 11 (Bernama) -- The raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist
Church on Aug 3 last year was conducted after a seven-month investigation showed
that there was evidence of proselytisation towards Muslims, the High Court here
was told today.
Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director Datuk Marzuki Hussin
said the investigation was carried out by Jais'' research and development
department before referring it to the enforcement division for further action.
Marzuki said he was informed about the raid by Jais chief assistant director
(enforcement) by the name of Mohd Rais the next day.
To a question by lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, Marzuki admitted that
Jais informed the Selangor executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs
about the raid, but there was no mention of Umno in the report.
Marzuki was testifying on the second day hearing of a RM10mil defamation
suit filed by Selangor Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Seri Mohd Zin
Mohamed against PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and three others in
relation to the church raid.
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COURT-UMNO 2 (LAST) SHAH ALAM
The suit, filed on Sept 14 last year, named Mustafa, Harakah publisher
Angkatan Edaran Ent Sdn Bhd, the paper''s editor Ahmad Lutfi Othman and reporter
Khairul Azlam Mohamad as defendants.
In his statement of claim, Mohd Zin said Mustafa, in an interview with
Khairul Azlan, had allegedly defamed Umno by accusing the party of playing a
role in the raid in an article published between Aug 19 and 21, 2011.
Cross-examined by lawyer Mohd Asmuni Awi, who represented Mustafa, whether
he knew which church was involved in proselytising Muslims, Marzuki said he had
no knowledge about it.
Asked by lawyer Zulhazmi Shariff, who represented Angkatan Edaran, whether
Jais officers were involved in any political party, the witness said as far he
knew there were none.
When asked about his membership in political party, Marzuki said he is an
Umno member, but this had nothing to do with the church raid as he was carrying
out his duty according to the law.
"As government officers in the management and professional divisions, we are
not allowed to be active in politics and cannot take sides and must remain
neutral.
"We cannot hold office in any political party, but we are not barred from
joining any political party," he said.
The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Zaki Husin continues on
June 14.
-- BERNAMA
FAI AKT MB