KUCHING: The 30,000 copies of Bible impounded by the authorities at Kuching Port in December last year were meant for schools, colleges, hotels and hospitals across Sarawak.
Gideon Kuching Camp secretary Dr Yao Sik Chi, in stating this yesterday, refuted allegations that the Holy Books were for re-distribution to other parts of the country. He said the Bibles were imported by Gideon Malaysia.
“We were told that the Bibles could not be released because it contained the word ‘Allah’ – an issue pending court judgment,” Dr Yao told The Borneo Post here last night.
He added that Gideon Kuching Camp ordered the Bibles to be given out to its 14 camps across Sarawak, and the camps are in places like Kuching, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang, Lawas, Marudi and Kapit.
Dr Yao, a former state Director of Health, said the Bibles would normally be labelled as for non-Muslims only.
He added that in 2009, Gideon also ordered some 18,000 copies which were initially withheld by the authorities but eventually released upon the directive of the federal cabinet.
A regular importer of books told The Borneo Post that it was the norm that imported books were strictly screened by the authorities concerned before release.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said in a statement yesterday that the situation did not arise from the books or the material, but due to the appeal by the Catholic Herald over the use of the word ‘Allah’ in its publication.
He said the issue was being resolved amicably with the parties concerned, based on the advice from the attorney-general.
“The appeal has yet to be heard by the court to resolve the bigger issue of content one way or the other,” he said, adding that the matter would be settled in the next few days.
“I urge all parties not to listen to wild allegations and speculations. As always, the ministry will act based on the law,” Hishammuddin said.
He also assured Christians that the Bibles were kept in good condition.
The Home Minister’s statement comes following criticisms from the Christian community as well as the Sarawak government which had demanded that the Bibles be released immediately.
The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said the 30,000 copies of New Testament Bible, Psalms and Proverbs, which cost RM78,000 were meant for Christians in Sarawak.