Tuesday 16 August 2011

PKR to act over fake 'church sealing' document

PKR assemblypersons Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Elizabeth Wong are to report to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that a "fake document" was published on a pro-BN blog.
This was related to a rumour that the Damansara Utama Methodist Church was to be sealed.

Both the assemblypersons said they had not made calls to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to act on a claim that the council was going to seal the church, as stated in the document published by the blogger known only as Papa Gomo.

NONE"I did not call MBPJ on that day. Malaysiakini also did not call me on the day, as stated in the document.

"This is impersonation and identity theft is a very serious (offence), particularly when it involves (the identity) of an assemblyperson or a state executive councilor," said Wong (right), who is also a Selangor exco member.

She said the report to the MCMC would be lodged "as soon as possible".

The document was published on the anonymous blog on Aug 13 as a purportedly genuine document detailing the chronology of events that occurred from Aug 8-11, on an alleged plan to seal the church.

Marked 'confidential', the two-page document states that MBPJ had received a complaint from a Damansara Utama resident about an illegal church near his residence.
Selangor senior exco Teresa Kok was said to have called MBPJ at 10.58am to request that the operation be cancelled.

NONEThe 'report' also states that Nik Nazmi had called MBPJ at 11.12am on Aug 11 to verify a claim that the church was to be sealed, while Wong was said to have rung the council at 11.46am to order that a denial be issued.
Others named in the document are Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, who is said to have asked for the sealing operation to be cancelled, and Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu, who is alleged to have announced that the enforcement arm of MPBJ would be reshuffled.

It also stated at a call was received at 12.02pm from a Malaysiakini reporter, upon which a denial on the matter was made, as directed by the state exco. 

'Discrepancies in document'

NONEAccording to Nik Nazmi (right), the document is obviously fake as the Damansara Utama Methodist Church is located in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, and not in Damansara Utama.

"The 'report' states that a Damansara Utama resident, a Mr Chin, complained about the church but the church is located far away from Damansara Utama. Umno bloggers are highly paid but don't do enough research before committing libel," the Seri Setia assemblyperson added.

Nik Nazmi, who is also PKR communications chief, added that the "fake document" was created only to "malign Pakatan Rakyat" and that the blogger, whom he believes is a Muslim, would be better off "concentrating on his fast and prayers" during Ramadan.

Selangor Islamic Affairs Department officers together with police had entered a building in the church compound in Section 13 on Aug 3, on suspicion that a thanksgiving dinner was used for proselytising of Muslims.

Papa Gomo had been previously investigated by the MCMC over the posting of a video clip showing man resembling Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim having sex with a woman.

Khalid denies involvement 

At a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, Khalid denied any involvement in the purported action by MBPJ against the church.

"I am not at all involved (and neither have I) ever interfered with MBPJ functions. I don't even know that the DUMC existed until news of it made the rounds in the media," he said.

azlanHe refuted claims that the matter is another manifestation of a personal battle between him and Selangor exco in charge of religious affairs Hasan Ali (in background).

He also confirmed that he will join MBPJ councillors in lodging a police report against Papa Gomo over the "falsified minutes of meetings" that the blogger had posted as 'proof' of his allegations. 

MBPJ councillor Latheefa Koya had said in a tweet earlier that the council would lodge a police report against the blogger at 2pm today for allegedly publishing a 'fake document'.

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