BANTING: The police have recorded statements from 10 individuals in their investigation into the many reports against the remark by a Catholic priest on the ‘Allah’ issue.
Selangor CPO Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said today the police had received 86 reports against the remark by Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of The Herald weekly, that the word ‘Allah’ would continue to be used in Catholic churches in Selangor.
The police would be calling all involved to complete the investigation, he said, adding that no statement had been recorded as yet from Lawrence.
Mohd Shukri spoke to reporters after attending the handing over of duties of Kuala Langat OCPD by ACP Nordin Manan to Klang Selatan Deputy OCPD Supt Azman Abdul Razak. Nordin has been transferred to Bukit Aman as deputy principal assistant director of the Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice Division.
Lawrence had said on Dec 27 last year through a local news portal that Catholic churches in Selangor would continue to use the word ‘Allah’ in their weekly assembly conducted in Bahasa Malaysia despite the reminder by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) on the prohibition on the use of the word by non-Muslims.
On the announced plan by several groups to hand over a protest memorandum to churches in Selangor on the issue, Mohd Shukri said police were prepared for any eventuality.
Several Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political movements in Selangor had demanded that Lawrence withdraw his statement and apologise openly to all Muslims.
Gombak Umno has warned that if Lawrence did not retract his remark by tomorrow, peaceful protests would be held in front of all churches in Selangor on Sunday. — Bernama