Release Al-Kitab without conditions, say MPs

BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicians stood on common ground today as they called on the government to allow the Malay-language Bible to be circulated without conditions.

While the degree of objections ranged from mild to hard-hitting, they all agreed that the holy book - also known as the Al-Kitab in Malay - should be released without doing anything that would exacerbate the situation, such as the recent stamping of a reminder and serial number on the front page.

Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon (right) urged the government to allow the Al-Kitab and "other related publications for religious purpose in whatever language" to be used, in line with the principle and spirit of freedom of religion in the context of the federal constitution and the Rukun Negara.

He added that officers dealing with such issues should seek "maximum consultation" with the relevant groups to avoid misunderstandings or confusion.

"I believe the cabinet in its meeting tomorrow will discuss the issue and concerns expressed by Christians or others and seek an amicable solution. I appeal to all sides to handle this in a rational manner in the interest of interfaith harmony in our nation," he said in a short statement.

Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan said the Al-Kitab issue is all about upholding freedom of religion, and supported an unconditional release of the holy book.

DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua demanded that Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein "immediately apologise to all Malaysians" for insulting Christians, and provide an unconditional guarantee that such incidences, including the "arbitrary confiscation" of the Al-Kitab does not recur.

He said the ministry's actions only proves that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia is but an empty slogan that does not do justice to Article 11 of the federal constitution which guarantees freedom of religion.

"We condemn the complete lack of sensitivity of the home minister in the actions taken by the ministry which had added salt to injury already suffered by the Christian community in Malaysia," said Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP.

MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok (left) similarly reprimanded the government for stamping the Malay-language Bible, saying it is "totally unreasonable" and is degrading to the Christian sacred scripture.

"While the government has announced the release of the Al Kitab, KDN's (Home Ministry) two conditions and high-handedness betray the spirit of goodwill aimed at releasing the sacred texts.

"Bureaucrats who violated the Al Kitab suffer from the four syndromes which Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib had warned BN about i.e. delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance.

"KDN must remove the two degrading conditions immediately and apologise to Christians and all Malaysians for such seditious actions which clearly have incited distress and disharmony among God-fearing Malaysians irrespective of creed," he said in a statement.

DAP Perak chief Ngeh Koo Ham meanwhile urged Christians across the nation to take a strong stand against the Home Ministry's move to stamp the front page of the Al-Kitab.

"I call upon Christians to strongly object the defacement of the Bibles. If not, Christians will be under the dictate of the Home Ministry," he said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby.

Ngeh (right), who is also Beruas MP and a devout Christian, said Christians in Sarawak particularly should take a strong position on the issue, in a thinly-veiled reference to the looming Sarawak state elections.

"Christians in Sarawak must send a strong signal to the BN. We must remind the Home Minister that the Christian religion is not under his control.

"Christ is the head of the Christian religion and not the Home Minister," Ngeh said.

Yesterday, Christian groups decried the Home Ministry's action in stamping the front page of the Al-Kitab copies impounded from Port Klang with a serial numbers and a reminder that it is solely for the use of Christians - without informing or getting consent from the importers.

The Bible Society of Malaysia, which imported the holy book, claimed that the action did not follow an agreement between the society and the ministry outlined in a letter dated Dec 22, 2005, which stated that the Malay-language Bible can be imported so long as the cross and the words Penerbitan Kristian (Christian publication) are embossed on the covers by the Christians themselves.