After Jais raid, MBPJ knocks on bible society’s doors
(MM) – Still reeling from last week’s raid by religious officers, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) found itself the target again of local enforcement authorities when officers from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) dropped by its premises today.
BSM general-secretary Rev Simon Wong confirmed with The Malay Mail Online that two MBPJ officers knocked on the society’s doors early this morning, asking to inspect the office.
But Wong, who was one of those hauled up to face the police during last week’s raid by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), said he did not allow the officers into the three-storey building that BSM occupies.
“I wanted to see a proper letter of authority,” he said when contacted here. “Or at least [be] given a notice in advance.”
“We consider this a harassment,” he added, pointing out that BSM has occupied the building at Damansara Kim here since 1986.
“We have not had any problems for decades,” he said.
Wong will be holding a press conference on the episode at 3pm today.
When contacted, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) public relations officer Zainun Zakaria said the inspection could have “simply been a routine check up” but added that she would first check with the council’s officers before confirming the matter.
