KUALA LUMPUR: Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the people must obey the laws of the country and respect the religious practices of the various faiths as enshrined in the constitution.
He said the cabinet yesterday discussed the protests by a group of residents on the installation of the symbol of the cross outside the shophouse used as a church in the Taman Medan area, Petaling Jaya recently.
“Police will carry out an investigation on the group who held a protest in Taman Medan. If they are found to have violated the country’s law, action will be taken under the Sedition Act or other existing laws,” he said in a statement, here yesterday.
He said the cabinet felt that the protesters should have discussed with the relevant parties if they had any objection and should not have taken action that could lead to unrest among the multi-racial community in the country.
“The Sedition Act aims to ensure peace and racial harmony in the country and it protects all religions and races,” he said.
According to Najib, the Selangor state government had the power on the status of the shophouse involved, whether it had been registered as a house of worship and given the approval to operate.
On Monday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahidi Hamidi was quoted as saying that action could be taken against the demonstrators under the Sedition Act as it involved religious sensitivity.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the matter had been amicably settled between the congregation and the protesters. Khalid pointed out that the police would not be prejudiced in enforcing the law if there was any breach of the law. — Bernama