Stubborn Mais comes under fire
MCA and DAP take aim at the Selangor Islamic Religious Council for refusing to return the confiscated Bibles to BSM
(Free Malaysia Today) – The MCA and DAP have joined forces in urging the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to return the Malay- and Iban-language Bibles it seized six months ago to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).
On Jan 2, Jais confiscated 321 copies of the Malay language Bibles (Al-Kitab) and the Iban Bibles (Bup Kudus) in a raid on the BSM office here.
The MCA said that it was only right and proper that the seized Bibles be returned to BSM following the decision of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.
Gani had said recently that the Bibles did not breach national security and directed Mais to return the books to the rightful owner (BSM).
But Mais has stubbornly refused to return them and wants instead to dispose them.
Said MCA Youth legal bureau chairman Choo Wei Sern: “This (disposing off the Bibles) is a serious threat to the administration of justice in this country.”
“There is a serious disrespect for the rights of every Malaysian to practise and preach their religious beliefs in accordance with the laws and the Federal Constitution,” he added.
Choo added that as law enforcer, Jais must uphold the laws of the country and comply with the decision of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The DAP took a swipe at the Selangor state executive councillor in charge of Muslim affairs, Sallehin Mukhyi, for making “excuses” to delay the return of the Bibles.
Its Serdang MP, Dr Ong Kian Ming, said Sallehin should work with Jais to ensure the Bibles are promptly returned to BSM without needing to consult Gani.
Sallehin reportedly said yesterday that he would seek an appointment with Gani to get verification on the lawful ways to return the holy books to BSM.
