Did the church have permission to display its cross?

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The Church Did Not Obtain Official Permission to Display Its Cross

The church involved in the Taman Medan incident did not have official permission to display its cross, according to statements made by Selangor Perkasa chief Abu Bakar Yahya. This assertion is based on the understanding that the church had not secured the necessary consent from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) for the placement of the cross on its premises. The situation highlights a conflict between local council regulations and state-level policies regarding the operation of non-Islamic places of worship in commercial areas.
Local Laws Mandate Official Permission for Religious Centres

Under local laws, specifically Act 133 Section 70 (12), religious centres operating within commercial areas are required to obtain official permission before they can legally function. This provision, as cited by Abu Bakar Yahya, implies that the church's operation, including the display of its cross, was subject to these legal requirements. The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) itself declared the church illegal, citing a lack of application for a permit to operate as a house of worship, which further supports the notion that formal approval was absent.
Conflicting State Policy on Church Operations

While local regulations appear to require explicit permits, a Selangor state official, Elizabeth Wong, indicated a different policy was in place. She stated that since 2008, the Selangor state committee on non-Islamic affairs (HESI) has permitted churches to operate in commercial premises, with only a notification process being necessary instead of formal permits. This directive from the state committee appears to have created a discrepancy with the MBPJ's interpretation of local laws concerning the church's status and the display of its religious symbols.
Protest Led to Cross Removal Amidst Regulatory Dispute

The controversy surrounding the church's cross escalated when approximately 50 Muslim residents protested, viewing it as a challenge and a potential influence on youths. Following this demonstration, the church removed the cross. Despite assurances from the Selangor government that the cross could be returned, an inspection revealed that the symbol had not yet been replaced, indicating the ongoing sensitivity and unresolved nature of the situation, even as the underlying regulatory dispute between local and state authorities persisted.

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Did the church have permission to display its cross?

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