KUCHING: Chairman of Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Archbishop Bolly Lapok branded the act of raiding Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) which resulted in two arrests and the seizing of more than 300 copies of Bibles as ‘an act of treason’.
“If an action assumes such arrogance that violates the Federal Constitution and pays total disregard to the Prime Minister’s directive is not treason, I do not know what is,” said ACS in a statement yesterday.
ACS was responding to the Selangor State Islamic Affairs Department (Jais)’s raid of BSM which took place on Jan 2 where two arrests were made and 320 copies of Al-Kitab as well as 10 copies of Bup Kudus (Bible of Iban Langauge) were seized.
Describing the raid as ‘shocking’, ACS reminded those involved in the 10-point agreement issued by the Federal Cabinet on April 2011 to address Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia Bible and other related issues.
The first two points being – “Bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/ Indonesia” and “These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak”.
ACS said the dispute over the use of the word “Allah” had poisoned the nation’s inter-religious relation and tearing the fabric of Malaysian plural society.
“In the face of the unrelenting dispute, a voice of reason among us has called for all citizens to respect, honour and abide by the guarantee of religious freedom as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and which was agreed to when Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya to form Malaysia.
“I would urge that in our handling of such a sensitive issue, it is imperative that we exercise maximum restraint and without undue prejudice. Our action will either convict or commend us before men and God. JAIS has much to answer for its action,” said the Archbishop for South East Asia.
Meanwhile, the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and other Christian lawmakers to act immediately to stop the seizure of Bibles.
In a statement dated yesterday, CCM also called upon the churches in the country to stay calm and pray that the proper authorities would act with wisdom and sensitivity and protect religious rights as provided under the Federal Constitution.
Expressing alarm over the raid at the beginning of 2014, CCM pointed out that the Islamic authorities did not have the authority in law to enter the premises of non-Muslim religious establishments for inspection, search or raid.
“The Federal Constitution guarantees by Article 11 (3) the right of religious communities of Malaysia to establish and maintain institutions and premises to freely profess and administer their affairs,” said the statement.