KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — The police will be calling Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for her statement as part of the investigation into the ‘Jom Ziarah Gereja’ programme organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) under her ministry.
The police have received two reports on the issue, Sentul police chief ACP Beh Eng Lai was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
“We have recorded the statements of three individuals, including two complainants and two NGO representatives to aid investigations,” he was quoted as saying during a press conference yesterday at the Sentul District Police Station after 216th Police Day celebrations.
He reportedly added that the statement of pro-Perikatan Nasional (PN) activist and politician Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Che’gu Bard, was taken earlier that day.
Yesterday, national news agency Bernama reported that the police have opened an investigation paper on the ‘Jom Ziarah Gereja’ programme, which was scheduled for Saturday before it was cancelled.
“Once the investigation paper is completed, it will be referred the Attorney General’s Chambers for further action,” he was quoted as saying.
Last Tuesday, Yeoh denied allegations of the proselytisation of Muslim youths through the ‘Jom Ziarah Geraja’ programme, which involved visits to houses of worship.
She said data showed no Muslim youths were registered with the programme called Projek Article 11 organised by Impact Malaysia, which had so far visited the Federal Territory Mosque and Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam this month.
Che'gu Bard, who is also Negeri Sembilan Muafakat Nasional chairman, had labelled the event as “Christian evangelism begins its work”.
The Segambut MP has since lodged a police report through her political secretary over the allegations.
The organiser of the programme, Impact Malaysia, describes itself as a social impact initiative of Impact Integrated, an agency under the Youth and Sport Ministry.
Article 11 refers to the provision in the Federal Constitution which guarantees freedom of religion.
