DAP senior adviser Lim Kit Siang has pounced on inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar, urging him to explain why the police "aided and abetted" in the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).

Describing the raid as "illegal and unconstitutional", he said that it is the first duty of the police is to protect the constitution and uphold the law.

He said Khalid would be doing something productive to restore public confidence in the independence, efficiency and professionalism of the force if he could explain and convince Malaysians that his personnel had not aided and abetted Jais in an illegal and unconstitutional act.

"There is no doubt that without police back-up, Jais’ illegal and unconstitutional raid of BSM and the seizure of over three hundred copies of Malay and Iban Bibles would not have taken place," said the Gelang Patah MP in a statement.

"Didn’t the police have the proper constitutional knowledge and legal advice that it is unlawful and unconstitutional to trample on the rights of all Malaysians in the exercise of their fundamental constitutional rights with regard to freedom of religion?" Lim(right)  asked.

Are the police ignorant and unaware that the Jais raid and seizure of the Malay and Iban Bibles would be gross violation of the 10-point solution to end the  controversy? , he said.

Several quarters, including from the BN have criticised the sudden  Jan 2 raid of the society’s premises where over 300 copies of the Malay and Iban Bibles were confiscated and two of the society's staff detained by police for over an hour.

Will IGP apologise for raid?

In the midst of public outrage over the incident, Selangor Umno had urged rallies outside churches, particularly in Klang, but police have warned them against it.

Kit Siang asked if Khalid would apologise as the Jais actions were illegal, unconstitutional and against both the word and spirit of the 10-point solution.

He questioned if Khalid would give an undertaking that the police will henceforth cease to aid and abet Jais or any other Islamic authorities in the commission of such acts openly against both the word and spirit of the 10-point solution.

"Point 7 of the 10-point solution gave an undertaking that disciplinary action under the General Orders would  taken against officers for their  failure to comply with the cabinet decision and ensure its proper implementation," Kit Siang recalled.

How many government officers are being hauled up under the General Orders for the  violation of the 10-point solution, he asked.

Suhakam frowns on raid

Meanwhile, Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) expressed serious concern over the manner in which the raid was conducted, without warning and over the detention of BSM staff.

The commission's vice-chairperson Khaw Lake Tee said the authorities in carrying out its duties must exercise their powers and discretion in accordance with the law.

She added that they must also do so in line with the principles of the right to a fair trial and protection of the law enshrined in the constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"The commision urges the authorities to respect and ensure the right of all citizens to the freedon of religion guaranteed under Article 11 of the federal constitution and Article 18 of the UDHR, including rights of communities to freely profess and practise their religions," she said in a statement.

"Recognising that Malaysia is a culturally and religiously diverse country, the commission sees the important need for Malaysians at all levels of society to demonstrate a greater degree of religious tolerance and respect in handling religious and cultural issues," Khaw added.