KUALA LUMPUR: Masjid Rusila denies giving permission to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to conduct training at the mosque on Sept 19.
Mosque committee chairman Mohd Azri Abdul Aziz claimed it never received any application from MMEA regarding the training mentioned by its director-general on Wednesday (Oct 22).
"The mosque examined the MMEA statement and clarifies there was no application or notification for any activity, either verbally or in writing," he said on Thursday (Oct 23).
He said the mosque contacted the police to confirm whether any agency activity took place.
“The answer we received was that there was no activity at the stated time and date under their notice. We then decided to file a police report regarding this matter,” he added.
He claimed that after the report was made the mosque received a phone call from an MMEA representative who apologised.
“We are disappointed with the unprofessional actions shown by the MMEA in handling this issue,” he said.
The MMEA on Wednesday denied allegations by Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan that its elite team raided Masjid Rusila in Marang on September 19.
MMEA Director General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the accusation was baseless and could tarnish the security forces and demoralise elite operators.
“The MMEA has never and will never use any house of worship as a location for raids or operations,” he said.
He said the training at the time was part of the special team’s tactical syllabus under senior instructors and in line with SOP.
Mohd Rosli said the mosque served only as a place for trainees to rest and perform iktikaf after Asar before their next assignment.
He added the mosque management had been informed in advance and no disruption occurred to the congregation or religious activities.
He said there were no elements of force or inappropriate actions and the trainees were merely performing prayers.
Mohd Rosli said the police report issue was resolved after further clarification and an apology for the misunderstanding.
Earlier, Takiyuddin raised concerns in the Dewan Rakyat over the alleged MMEA training at the mosque.
He claimed it caused fear and unease among the congregation.
