Consult us on bibles, BSM tells Putrajaya
By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider
PETALING JAYA, April 3 — In a conciliatory gesture, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) welcomed today the federal government’s 10-point initiative to close the widening religious polarity in multicultural Malaysia over the Alkitab debacle.
The BSM also said it was glad that religious differences could still be resolved peacefully here, unlike elsewhere in the world where extremists have taken control of ending disputes through a show of violence.
The organisation said it was willing to work with the federal government to prevent another outbreak of aggression between followers of different creeds.
BSM was referring to the latest spate of violent demonstration in Islamic Afghanistan that killed some 20 people and saw more injured following an extremist Christian preacher’s burning of the Quran in the US last month.
“BSM deeply appreciates the government’s 10-point solution which is not only an affirmation of the 2005 agreement but also includes additional safeguards to ensure that incidents that have recently been the bone of contention should not happen again,” its president, Lee Min Choon, said in a media statement today.
He said that BSM is also deeply touched by the government’s humility showed in admitting to shortcomings over the poor handling of the Alkitab issue and the request for forgiveness.
“BSM, without hesitation, forgives.
“BSM also releases the government of any obligation, legal or moral, to compensate BSM for the 5,000 copies of the Alkitab that cannot be sold and leaves this matter to the goodwill and judgment of the government,” Lee added, saying it looked forward to working with government officials to resolve long-standing interfaith disputes.
The lawyer, however, urged Putrajaya to consult the BSM first in future before making any decision that involved the Christian holy book.
The BSM is the main producer and importer of bibles in Malay and in other indigenous languages.
