KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Malay rights group Perkasa wants the Grace Church Shah Alam and its pastor investigated for planning to stage a Christian play in Muslim-majority Shah Alam during the Ramadan fasting month.
However, Pastor Joseph Marcose said the September 4 play has been cancelled due to the long holiday break, with many worshippers away during that time.
Petaling Perkasa chairman Zainal Abidin Ahmad lodged a police report against the Protestant church and Marcose yesterday.
“We want the church and pastor to be investigated for sedition and for insulting the Sultan,” Zainal Abidin told The Malaysian Insider today.
He said the church was being insensitive for planning to stage the play “There is Hope” at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) during the fasting month.
Although the play is not meant for Muslims, he expressed fears the church was deliberately attempting to propagate Christianity to Muslims.
He pointed out that a Ramadan bazaar is held around SACC and buka puasa buffets are held in the premises.
Zainal Abidin said his concerns were not unfounded and referred to an article written on the Internet by Marcose entitled “Kenapa Kita Berada Di Shah Alam” (Why we are in Shah Alam) which shows that the church’s plan is to propagate Christianity to everyone in Shah Alam.
“Their mission statement and justification for their existence is clear,” he said.
Besides the police report, Perkasa has also submitted a memorandum to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and SACC.
He has urged MAIS to advise the church that its move is against the Selangor Islamic Enactment and the Constitution, which restricts the spreading of other religions to Muslims.
Perkasa has also asked SACC to cancel the church booking for the play.
Marcose expressed surprise that a police report had been lodged against the church and him.
“No one has told us and I don’t know how to respond,” he said.
But Marcose said the 20-year-old church in Jalan Unyang, Taman Alam Mega in Shah Alam had already cancelled the play.
“We decided to call it off because of the long public holiday and many of our members will be away.”
He also explained the play was planned in conjunction with National Day and meant only for non-Muslims.
Marcose also pointed out his article, which was posted on a church website, was meant only to encourage church members.
“It’s just a church bulletin for our members. We did not publish it anywhere,” he said.
Marcose said the church was fully aware of the law and denied it had intended to propagate its faith to Muslims.
“We will co-operate if there are any police investigations, “ he said.
