IGP’s brother: I’ve explained to Khalid over ‘cross’ protest

PETALING JAYA: The elder brother of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has offered the top cop an explanation following a protest against a church in Taman Medan. 

Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar (pic), who was one of the protesters, said he had received a call from his brother and had told the IGP that the issue was resolved.

"He (IGP) had asked me: 'Alang, apa cerita?' (Brother, what's the story?).

"And I told him that we had spoken to the church representative and she was very understanding of our predicament. So there was no longer an issue as it had been resolved.

"He accepted my explanation and said 'ok'," Abdullah related to reporters on Monday. 

Abdullah, who is also the Taman Lindungan Jaya Umno branch chief, had been embroiled in controversy over his role in the protest and his links to the IGP. 

However, he clarified that the protest did not in any way involve his brother and was strictly an issue between the Muslim residents in Taman Medan and the newly-opened church. 

"It is not easy being the IGP's brother. Any issue, people come to me for help," he quipped. 

Abdullah told reporters that the church had agreed to take down the cross, as it understood the sensitivity of the Muslims in the area. 

"The church coordinator, Sister Victoria, was very understanding and we wish to sincerely thank her for her efforts," he added.

He and a few others claimed they were acting as intermediaries in Sunday's protest by the residents, who were unhappy with the new church in their area. 

"Where we live, there is also a 20 year-old Hindu temple. We have no problems with it. We let the members freely conduct their prayers," said Harun Ismail, 54, who has been living there for more than 40 years. 

"Even in this incident, we are not against the church conducting its religious activities.

"We called for the removal of the cross as an attempt to pacify the younger and more aggressive protesters," Harun added.

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