10-point solution to Bibles issue lauded

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KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government’s decision to allow the printing of Bibles locally and in all languages, including in Bahasa Malaysia, has been well received by the Christian community in Sabah.

Assistant Finance Minister, Datuk Donald Mojuntin, when asked to comment on the effort to resolve to the Bible issues yesterday, said that he was especially thankful to the Federal Government for allowing Sabah and Sarawak to use the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and the other local dialects.

The two states have large Christian communities.

“In my opinion, (the use of) language is just a channel for us to communicate and to give and gain understanding on matters of the religion,” he said.

He also said that the people of Sabah and Sarawak have always been more tolerant towards the belief of others.

Faith after all, he added, is a matter of one’s preference.

“It is a matter of the heart.”

Meanwhile, a non-denominational Christian, Augustine Binson was happy with the announcement made by Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Minister in the Prime Minister’s department recently.

“It is commendable that the Bible can be printed in the country and the question of it being impounded will not arise,” he said.

At the same time, the announcement has also allowed for freedom for others to practice their religion.

“The government also shows that it is considerate towards people of other religions.”

However, he stressed that the Bible cannot be simply translated.

“It has to be properly translated or it will loose its original meaning. Therefore, a translator must be really well versed with the Bible, or else it should be left alone, and be published in its original English form. That is my only reservation.”

Meanwhile, United Borneo Front co-founder and adviser, Nilakrisna James opined that there was still a lot of bigotry in the country amongst people who are unable to accept or understand the realities of religious and racial freedom as being the very foundation upon which the country was formed.

“The government has to work so hard to create a platform of tolerance and diplomacy to cater to the needs of such people and that’s sad.”

“So, when we see the 10-point initiative to the Bible issue, our immediate reaction was to applaud the decision when, in actual fact, the issue should never have arisen at all,” she said.

She added that there was no necessity for such a controversy in the first place.

“It really is so embarrassing having to explain issues like this to foreign visitors and people we know abroad because we look so backward as a country.”

Nilakrishna pointed out that religious freedom in the country is guaranteed by law.

“It is guaranteed in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution and Article 8 of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 which mention the safeguards and recommendations of Chapter 3 of the Inter-Governmental Committee Report of 1962, wherein Article 15 is an entire section on religion that guarantees the religious freedom in this country,” she said.

And the Bible is the basis upon which Christians are able to “profess” and “practice” their religion.

“Worshipers come from all backgrounds and races and speak various languages. It is a pre-requisite to the education of the Christian people in this country, some of whom are only fluent in Malay.”

“It is also regarded as one of the greatest works of literature and some of the world’s top universities study the Bible as part of the humanities courses. Internationally, people are aware that one does not have to be a Christian to appreciate and read the Bible or study it as part of the university course.

“Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has been very vocal in this regard and I join his chorus in demanding for the absolute respect of religious freedom in this country and I hope one day people can live harmoniously without allowing their prejudices to override and mar their judgements and policies in government.”