Import guidelines to be proposed

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Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Minister to recommend SOP for bringing in Christian materials to Sarawak and Sabah

KUCHING: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup will propose to the Home Ministry to establish a special standard operating procedure (SOP) for the importation of Christian materials containing the word ‘Allah’ to Sabah and Sarawak.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said fine tuning of the existing SOP is important to make it easier for authorities to process applications while painting a clearer picture for importers when bringing such religious materials into East Malaysia.

He pointed out that ignorance on existing procedures had contributed to public misunderstanding on the importation issue, citing an incident last October when Customs seized 574 books comprising 133 titles, 419 CDs and five DVDs at the second Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2) brought in by a Sabahan, Maklin Masiau, from Medan, Indonesia.

According to media reports, Maklin said his materials were for personal use, which alarmed Customs officials due to the large amount of materials that were brought in, coupled with the fact that he did not have an import permit.

The materials were eventually released after Maklin clarified that they were for the use of his church in Sabah.

Kurup explained the issue then was due to the SOP not brought to the attention of both importers and authorities.

“We are trying to explain the SOP to those importing religious materials, especially Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ into Sabah and Sarawak. Importers need to know the requirements that need to be fulfilled such as declaration forms that need to be filled including the relevant authorities that need to be informed.

“If we do not possess the required papers to prove that the materials are meant for Sabah and Sarawak, of course this would raise a flag among authorities. Importers need to fully understand all procedures and requirements,” he told reporters after officiating at the Home Ministry’s briefing on the importation of Bibles to Sarawak at Merdeka Palace Hotel here yesterday.

Home Ministry’s Publication Control and Quranic Text division secretary Hashimah Nik Jaafar conducted the closed-door briefing. Borneo Evangelical Mission (SIB) Sarawak president Rev Dr Justin Wan was also present.

Kurup added the improvement to the SOP would soon be drawn after a similar dialogue is held by his ministry in Sabah on April 24.

“It important to establish a special SOP for Sabah and Sarawak considering the special rights to import Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ into both states. I have requested for the Home Ministry to establish a new SOP that is clearer on this subject matter. However, we need to establish that there is a rule that the people need to comply with before we can process all this,” he continued.

In his speech earlier, Kurup reminded importers to meet all required permits and documentations to avoid complications. He also advised concerned individuals to be honest when making their declarations to avoid miscommunication.

“Our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) is committed to uphold the 10-point agreement to allow religious freedom. The government is not targeting to oppress any specific group. We are not in the business of prosecuting our own people.

“However, if problems occur due to negligence of the authorities, do not be emotional. Being a minister, I’m not defending the government but as human we are bound to make mistakes. We can avoid being emotional, find a solution.”

According to the 10-point agreement issued by Najib’s Cabinet in 2011, the authorities cannot place “prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their Bibles and Christian materials” when travelling between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

The 10-point solution also allowed for Bibles in Malay and indigenous languages to be printed, imported and distributed freely in Sabah and Sarawak but in the peninsula the holy books must be stamped to indicate that they are a “Christian publication”.