Provocative banner hung at churches

Jelutong Umno division on Sunday, claimed that provocative banners related to the "kalimah Allah" issue had been hung on the perimeter wall of a number of churches in Penang and at a bus-stop in front of a church in Lebuh Light.

Division chief Jasmin Noordin said the division found out about the matter after the dawn prayers, Sunday, and believed that it was not the work of the churches themselves.

"I believe certain individuals have deliberately created the provocation by hanging such banners at the church grounds to incite racial riots in this country," he said when contacted, here, Sunday.

It is understood that the banner hung at each of the church grounds in five areas and at the bus-stop featured the cross and carried the words "Allah is Great" and "Jesus is the son of Allah".

Jasmin said the provocative banners were believed to be hung late last night by irresponsible elements.

He said he managed to bring down such a banner at the St John Britto Church in Sungai Pinang, here, as the action by the perpetrators could disrupt harmony in the country.

"I believe such banners had been hung at five churches in the state," he said, adding that a police report would be lodged at 6pm, Sunday, on the matter.

Checks by Bernama in the areas concerned showed that the offending banners had been removed.

It is learnt that about 100 residents of Kampung Rawa in Sungai Pinang had gathered to watch the banner at the church in the area being taken down.

Meanwhile, state Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said he had not received any public complaint on the matter and that he only knew about it when contacted by the media.

He said the matter would be investigated before any action could be taken.

Abdul Malik said he viewed the matter seriously and would ask for an immediate investigation before any untoward incident could happen due to the provocation.

Meanwhile, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said three police reports - from two of the churches and another from a resident - had so far been lodged over the provocative banners.

He said the case would be investigated under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948.