The Southwest police district is investigating a group of Muslim NGOs that protested at the Bayan Baru mosque last night, as they suspect the mosque may be attacked.
 
Southwest district police chief Supt Lai Fa Hin said at a press conference in Balik Pulau today that the protest by about 150 people will be investigated under Section 9 (1) of the 2012 Peaceful Assembly Act.
 
Lai dismissed talk there were plans by certain quarters to attack the mosque, saying police would increase their manpower to patrol local churches and mosques around-the-clock.
 
"The way the group protested at the mosque and marched to the police station was wrong, and so we are investigating.
 
"My advice to the public is not to take the law into their own hands. Abide by the law and local rules. If they are not clear about the rules, they can always come and consult us. Even events related to religious functions – just notify the police."
 
Lai also advised members of the public not to spread rumours or cause public panic.
 
He said that while more than 100 over protesters gathered at the mosque, only 30 went to the Bayan Baru police station to lodge the report.
 
Based on reports on blogs and in Facebook, the groups that protested last night included Persatuan Merong, Persatuan Mukabuku Pulau Pinang, Persatuan Insan Mulia, Perkasa, Squad Rejam, Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung and Al Ehsan.
 
The law requires groups intending to rally to notify the police 10 days before their event. It will be up to the district police chief to allow or reject their notice.
 
“In a case like this, where they have no permit and did not notify the police, we have opened up investigation papers based on the law," Lai said.
 
He said 22 reports were lodged by 11 members of the group and their concerns were over the use of the Arabic word "Allah" to refer to God in the Malay and Iban copies of the Bible.
 
‘Waiting for DPP’s response’
 
Lai was also asked about the Teluk Bahang incident on Jan 21, in which assistant district officer Abu Hassan Osman was assaulted in front of 35 policemen while on an operation against illegal hawkers.
 
Abu Hassan was accompanied by a group of Penang Municipal Council officers and the police. They were there to get rid of 14 stalls that were vacant - not those currently occupied - after receiving complaints from residents in the area.
 
Lai said police have completed their investigation into this and a report has been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) for further instructions on the relevant sections to charge those involved in the assault.
 
Police had remanded seven people related to the incident, who claimed they were there to defend the plight of Malay hawkers facing the demolition of their stalls.
 
As to whether they would be charged with committing physical violence, Lai said the police were waiting for the response from the DPP.