(Kuala Lumpur, Friday): I am very concern on the latest development on the disruption and raid of the Sky Kingdom commune founded by Ayah Pin in Besut, Terengganu where the mob of about 30 people who rioted on Monday 18^th July has still not been arrested and charged by police but 59 followers of Ayah Pin were arrested by police and charged in court.  

Although the Ayah Pin group and its teaching is not mainstream, the police have a duty to maintain public security and should not condone the violence carried out by the mob as their action of carrying parangs, sticks and burning rubber tyres to destroy the structures, car and homes in the commune have actually destroyed the peace and harmony of the people in the commune and has outraged the world. 

If no police action is taken, the public has the right to be suspicious about whether the police had prior knowledge of the riot. The police must act immediately because rumours are that the police may have approved the hostile actions and may even have instigated it.      

The Terengganu state government and religious department should abide by the principle of Religious Freedom as enshrined in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. They should respect the wishes of the Ayah Pin's followers who intend to leave Islam as religious freedom is a fundamental element in a democratic society 

The Terengganu State Religious Department should take the soft approach of imparting the correct teaching of Islam to the Ayah Pin's followers instead of charging and sentencing them in court. 

(22/7/2005)

* Teresa Kok Suh Sim, DAP National Publicity Secretary and MP for Seputeh