Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) Hasan Ali: Proselytising witnesses harassed, 8 May 2012
by Salhan K Ahmad
The husband and wife who came forward with allegations that Christian missionaries are actively attempting to convert Muslims are being targeted for harassment and intimidation said former Selangor PAS chief Hasan Ali.
He claimed that the couple have been physically harassed and were involved in an accident with a lorry recently, which he said may have been in connection with the couples’ video testimony revealing alleged proselytising of Muslims in the Klang Valley.
"The theory is, some say it was a normal accident, but some say that it has a direct connection with their disclosure in the video," Hasan told a press conference at his home in Kuala Lumpur today.
He added that the couple survived the incident, which took place just a few days after the video was screened for the media on April 2.
Hasan said that a police report was lodged, but refused to comment further on his allegations as it was "a police matter".
He said that he was very wary of revealing their identities since the beginning for fear of reprisals.
Last month Hasan disclosed two video clips, one 42 minutes and the other 16 minutes long, allegedly featuring testimonies by witnesses on a movement to convert Muslims to Christians.
Among others, the video showcased an interview with a couple who allegedly admitted to being converted to Christianity by a group of missionaries from Austalia.
(2) ‘Apostasy is more pressing than phantom voters', 2 April 2012
by Nigel Aw
Sacked Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali has blasted his successor Dr Abdul Rani Osman for suggesting that the ‘apostasy video’ is not important.
“Just imagine, from the angle of faith, Muslims joining Christianity is far more important than phantom voters. This is what I mean by parasites. They have derailed PAS,” Hasan told a press conference at his Kuala Lumpur residence this afternoon.
“I tell my friends in PAS, ‘this is the kind of leader you have, you should remove this type of leader’.”
Hasan was referring to a report in Sinar Harian today, quoting Rani (left) as saying that there were more pressing issues for the country to deal with, such as ‘phantom’ voters.
“There are more important matters that we need to focus on, such as phantom voters and corruption. We view this (video) as a small issue,” Rani was quoted as saying.
Hasan had earlier screened a video recording featuring a Muslim who claimed to have converted to Christianity, but then went back to Islam last October.
"There is no doubt there is a process of proselytising (among Muslims),” he claimed, citing the video footage that suggested some 300 to 400 Muslims have converted to Christianity.
"In the Damansara Utama Methodist Church raid, the Selangor sultan said there was proselytising... it was due to a technicality in gathering evidence that the sultan advised (the authorities) not to take the matter to court.”
‘They fear for their lives’
Hasan said many who have received help from Christian groups have been persuaded to convert to Christianity.
However, they were not willing to reveal evidence of proselytising because they feared for their life, he said, based on his interpretation of the footage.
"Why did they ask us to blur their faces and change their voices? There must be a reason," Hasan (right) said, but he did not elaborate on the alleged threats.
Coming forward would also cause them to be sidelined by their Muslim families and friends, he said.
Hasan alleged that the Christian movement was proselytising among disadvantaged Muslims, but that the Zakat Board was now intervening more quickly to provide aid in order to negate the Christian influence.
"With the formation of the Save Faith Unit, we channel information to the Zakat Board and there are instances where aid has been approved within a day," he said.
The unit, Hasan said, was among the measures he had introduced to curb proselytising when he was Selangor exco member in charge of Islamic affairs.
"The menteri besar (Abdul Khalid Ibrahim) must (also) should use Selangor's strong financial health to provide funding (to help Muslims who need financial aid),” he added.
(End)
