KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — An Umno leader who took part in a Muslim group’s protest against a church in Taman Medan yesterday has admitted to being Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s brother.
Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar who is the Taman Lindungan Jaya Umno division leader however stressed that his family ties with Khalid should not be misconstrued, and that he had done nothing wrong by taking part in the protest.
“Yes I am the IGP’s brother but does that mean if I do anything, I am abusing my position or whatever I do is wrong?” he told the Malay Mail Online.
Abdullah also denied reports that it was him who had led the protest, stressing that he was merely the liaison between the church representatives and the protesters
Abdullah runs a firearm and security business.
Explaining how he became the mediator during yesterday’s protest, Abdullah said he noticed in a community chat group that several Malay residents were unhappy with the cross and that tensions were rising.
Abdullah was then approached about the matter and said he immediately offered to remedy the situation, fearing the worst should the protesters take matters into their own hands.
“I did it out of goodwill and as a leader… I should not be judged or criticised for my actions by linking me to my IGP brother… you simply cannot label my doings as being rowdy as like I said, I was the mediator and not one of the protestors,” he told Malay Mail Online.
Abdullah said he was also well known among the police, who approached him to help resolve the matter when they arrived on the scene yesterday.
“They looked at me and said, ‘Eh, Datuk, what’s this? Please control them’”… so I took charge and spoke to the church, and after the matter was resolved, I told them (the protesters) to disperse,” he added.
A group of about 50 residents staged a peaceful protest against a new church in Taman Medan yesterday, over purported fears of proselytization after the church’s congregation had put up a cross on the building.
Police reportedly arrived at the scene at around 10.30am, acting as intermediaries between the protesters and church leaders.
It is understood that the church took down the cross several hours later.
– See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/yes-im-igps-brother-umno-cross-protest-man-says-but-it-doesnt-mean-what-i-d#sthash.nhR37Ong.dpuf
whatever….