Orang Asli Christians in Kampung Pasu have taken the Pahang State Government to court over the illegal demolition of their church building in September. (Kampung Pasu is a village located in the district of Temerloh, Pahang.)

Akuang Wet and his son, Yaman, on behalf of the village’s Christian community, filed the civil suit – which also named the Temerloh Land Office as defendant – in early November.

They are seeking, among others: the right to practise their faith as granted to all citizens under the Federal Constitution and with this, the right to construct and own a place of worship; and compensation from the state government for demolishing their church building.

The church was planted by SIB Semenanjung and pastored by Ajos Larau. According to Pr Ajos, about 30 people tore down the RM25,000 newly-constructed building on Sept 30, five days before it was to open for its inaugural worship service. The assailants came in seven vehicles, one of which bore the name "Jabatan Tanah dan Galian", said Pr Ajos who witnessed the incident. He added that government officials including the Temerloh state assemblyman, a policeman and a reporter stood by and watched while the building was torn down.

Pr Ajos photographed the assailants in action but one of them seized his camera, confiscated the film and returned the camera.

Soon after the incident, Yaman Wet lodged a police report. While making the report, Yaman – whose father owned the land where the church sat on – said a policeman told him the reason for the demolition was that the church was built on government land.

The church was to cater to about 40 Christians residing in Kampung Pasu and surrounding villages. Work on the building started in July soon after SIB raised the funds, secured the piece of land donated by Akuang Wet, and obtained a written approval from the village headman to build the church. The matter has been referred to NECF Malaysia who then referred it to the relevant authorities.