TEN months after the Kg Pasu Orang Asli (OA) church building was illegally demolished, work on a new building officially started on Aug 7 with the ceremonial planting of the foundation pillar on the site by two SIB Semenanjung leaders – Pr Dr Chew Weng Chee and Pr Richard Samporoh.
The church, an outreach work of SIB Semenanjung, was torn down last September by several Pahang state government officers who had alleged that the church was illegally built on state land.
With the assistance of NECF Malaysia, the case was brought to the attention of Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who responded by agreeing to pay RM40,000 for compensation, and also permitted the church to be rebuilt.
During the groundbreaking ceremnoy, Pr Dr Chew thanked the Government for upholding the individual’s right to practise his religion. He told the OA Christians not to fear any threats but to look forward to a church that will be a place of worship and learning the Scriptures, which will then result in a positive change in the OA community there.
NECF Executive Secretary (BM) Alfred Tais who represented NECF, explained to the OA Christians that the country did not prohibit any tribe or individual to practise his religion.
Some 500 people, many from other towns and states, attended the joyous occasion. – Reported by Pr Miun Amat (Coordinator, OA Ministry, SIB Semenanjung)
Upon this pillar shall the church stand: Pr Richard (left) and Pr Dr Chew
securing the foundation pillar at the ground-breaking ceremony to mark
the start of work on the new building.
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