A drive through Taman Medan

Motorcyclist pass by Taman Medan church at Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 22 April 2015. 2015. A cross that used to be hanging at Taman Medan church has been taken down by church leaders on April 19 following a protest by some residents. The protest is the latest case of religious conflict that has attracted national attention in Malaysia. EPA

IF you didn’t follow the news over the last one week, you wouldn’t know that the first-floor shoplot in Taman Medan in Petaling Jaya was the centre of a controversy.At 4.38pm on Thursday, it was void of activity.

The corner-lot church is one of the two dozen shoplots on Jalan PJS 2B/3, where only four shops are open – a 24-hour self-service laundry, a snooker centre, a karaoke joint and a newly-opened gym.