Another Christian body calls for the return of the seized Bibles
(TMI) – The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has joined the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) in urging the Selangor government to call for the return of the Bibles which were confiscated by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) early this year.
Its chairman Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng said the CFM is disappointed with the state government’s attempt to “wash its hands” of the Jais raid at the BSM premises on January 2 and the seizure of more than 300 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia (Al-Kitab) and Iban (Bup Kudus).
“The fact remains that Jais had acted under powers purportedly given to it by a State enactment. These Bibles remain in their possession,” he said in a statement today.
On Wednesday, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim advised BSM to write to the Attorney-General for the return of the Bibles, saying that the state exco had agreed that BSM take this course of action.
“We suggest this as under the present circumstances it would be best for them to write to the attorney-general. This is also to show that the BSM is keen to get back the seized copies,” he had said.
Calling Khalid’s statement “unacceptable”, Eu said it was nothing short of “passing the buck”.
“The Selangor state government is duty bound to act in this matter and must not shirk its responsibility. Order the return of the Bibles now,” he said.
In response to Khalid’s statement, BSM said it will not write to the A-G as was suggested, adding that it considered the latest statement as the state “washing their hands of the problem”.
“The action of Jais in raiding BSM and the move by the state government today, washing their hands of their responsibility, is a clear statement to the people that Selangor rejects the 10-Points Solution,” it said.
It claimed that the Selangor exco had made many promises to return the Bibles and reiterated its call to the state government to correct this unjust situation.