Methodist church remains mum on Jais raid

As far as the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) is concerned, silence is the best policy for now, insofar as this involves the raid on its premises by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) last week.

The centre has not issued a statement since its senior pastor Daniel Ho revealed on Aug 4 that around 20 to 30 Jais officers had raided the premises without a warrant, during a multi-racial thanksgiving dinner in honour of non-profit organisation Harapan Komuniti the previous night.

Activities appeared to be going on as usual, based on a visit to the centre by Malaysiakini this afternoon, though it was quickly apparent that its members preferred to stay out of the media glare.

An individual, understood to be a member of a church committee, made it clear that the media “would not get any statement from the church at this point of time” regarding the raid.

Met while making inquiries at the security booth at the centre, the individual politely repeated the church's stand, which is to remain silent on the issue.

Asked if it would be possible to meet with Ho, the individual - who asked not to be identified - said the pastor was in a meeting and suggested that any questions or requests be forwarded to the management office.

DUMC has come under fire in recent days, particularly from Malay-language mainstream dailies.

This was after Hassan Ali (left) of Selangor PAS, the state executive councillor in charge of religious affairs, had defended Jais' actions by claiming there was proof of attempts to proselytise Muslims at the event.

The most recent claim in support of Jais was in Berita Harian, which quoted Sahabat Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya chairperson Dr Dzulkhaini Hussain as saying that copies of a quiz on Islam had been found at the event, thereby justifying the raid.

The Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government has kept a tight lid on the issue, with Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim imposing a gag order on his administration against further comments pending Jais' clarification - not long after he expressed his “regret” over raid. 

Jais officials had barged in on the dinner hosted at the centre - located in Section 13, Petaling Jaya - during which they were understood to have questioned guests and seized programme booklets and to have gone through the trash bins.