Christian tribe sues Malaysian Government for destroying church

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.tribe.sues.malaysian.government.for.destroying.church/16266.htm
by Szeleng Chan
17 Jan 2008

Christian indigenous villagers are suing Malaysia's sole Islamic state government for destroying their church, claiming it was an illegal act since they owned land the church was built on.

Members of the Temiar tribe, one of some 18 ethnic tribes known as the Orang Asli ("Original People"), had built the church in their remote jungle village, said N Subramaniyan, the villagers’ lawyer. Shortly after completion, authorities demolished the church last June.

The Kelantan state government said it was illegally built on state land and that the villagers ignored notices to stop construction. Azlan Abdul Halim, the counsel representing the Kelantan government, said the demolition did not have to do with religion.

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