Selangor Islamic Affairs Exco “unaware” of Jais Bible Society raid

(The Star) – The Selangor Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs, Sallehin Mukhyi said Thursday he was unaware of the raid conducted by the Selangor Islamic Religious department (Jais) on the offices of the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) here earlier in the day.

Sallehin told The Star that Jais did not inform him prior to the raid where 20 Jais officers raided BSM offices in Damansara Kim and seized 321 copies of the Alkitab, 10 copies of the Iban Bible – Bup Kudus and 20 copies of Luke’s Gospel in Malay.

“I was not informed, and I do not have any information on this raid at this point. I will try to obtain information as soon as possible. I cannot comment until I get an explanation from Jais,” said Sallehin.

During the raid police also ordered BSM chairman Lee Min Choon and secretary general Simon Wong to accompany them to the Damansara Utama police station to give a statement.

Meanwhile, BSM said in a statement later Thursday that Jais’s actions went against the 10-Point Solution mutually agreed to by the federal government and the Christian community of Malaysia in 2011.

Among the conditions agreed upon in the ten-point solution, Bibles in all languages, including Malay, can now be imported into the country or be printed here and The Bible and other Christian publications can move freely between East and West Malaysia.

“BSM is deeply shocked that JAIS whose legal powers are limited to policing Muslims are now exercising powers over non-Muslims.

“BSM is of the view that this action contravenes a host of legal provisions, including that of the Federal Constitution. This is a sad day, heralding the erosion of minority rights,” said the society.