The facade of the Community of Praise Petaling Jaya Church remains despite the assurance by the Selangor state government that they have the right to affix a cross on their outer wall of their establishment. ― File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 ― A pastor of the Taman Medan church at the centre of a religious row has applied on behalf of his congregation for protection from the police, following the uproar caused by last Sunday's protest by Muslim residents.

According to Malaysiakini, the pastor expressed fear in his report to the police, particularly due to the angry reaction of one protestor, and asked that enforcers be present at the church vicinity in the Malay-majority neighbourhood.

“I would like to request police presence to be around... for fear of any untoward incidents towards me and my members,” the pastor was quoted by the news portal as saying in the report.

The police are currently investigating the demonstration and have vowed to call up all those involved.

Yesterday, Umno branch chief Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar, who is also the brother of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, was called in for questioning over his role as mediator in the protest.

According to Abdullah, he was summoned after the church lodged a police report on the incident.

It is unknown which law he or the other protestors are being investigated under.

During the protest last Sunday, some 50 Muslim residents of Taman Medan urged the newly-opened church to take down the cross it had affixed to its facade, claiming it is a challenge to Muslims in the area and could influence youths.

The protest even saw the arrival of the police and later resulted in the church removing the cross.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) later declared the church illegal as it has not applied for a permit to operate as a house of worship but this was contradicted shortly after by the Selangor administration.

However, despite the Selangor government's assurance and advice to return the cross to its original site, a check by Malay Mail Online at the church premise yesterday revealed that it has yet to replace the symbol.