MIRI: The state government will appeal to the Home Ministry for the release of 30,000 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia from Kuching Port.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan yesterday said the authorities should not have detained the Bibles worth RM78,000.
“I will speak strongly on this. We should not allow this thing to happen, which is making the people angry unnecessarily.
“I think they should not do it. After all they are just Bibles coming from Indonesia. I disagree if the government is doing this. I think they should not stop but let the Bibles come in,” he said.
Pointing out that the issue could affect racial and religious harmony among Malaysians, Dr Chan said: “Why make it difficult. Don’t create issues for us. Our people have been living happily together.
“Because of the high level of mutual understanding and respect for each other, we are able to build churches and mosques next to each other.
“We live together in peace and even go to the coffee shop where we can have laksa and kuey chap at the same table.”
The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) had said in a statement that 30,000 copies of ‘Perjanjian Baru, Mazmur dan Amsal’ (New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs) are currently being detained at Kuching Port.