The Islamic Affairs Department’s (Jais) raid and seizure of Bahasa Malaysia Bibles Alkitab yesterday raises fear among Christians worshipping in Bahasa Malaysia who live in Selangor, said DAP’s Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming.

“If taken to extremes, will Jais raid all the churches in Selangor who conduct Bahasa service where the banned words under the enactment will inevitably be used?

“Will Jais raid all the residence of Christians who are suspected of having BM Bibles, including my own residence?” he asked.

Ong (left), who owns a copy of the Alkitab (the Bahasa Bible), urged Jais to put a stop to such raids, especially since there is no evidence that these Bibles were used for proselytization.  

He added that the Alkitab has printed on it the words 'Peringatan – Al Kitab Berita Baikini untuk kegunaan Penganut Agama Kristian Sahaja' in adherence to government requirements.  

Meanwhile, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to live up to his recent speeches to ensure national unity and freedom of religion in Malaysia.

“Less than ten days after Najib's two Christmas speeches...his message of moderation, harmony and co-existence have been thrown to the winds in the unprecedented and unconstitutional raid...,”

“Surely, the raid... is not what Najib has in mind about what he promised Malaysians as to how the BN government will rebuild national unity as the ‘new year unfolds’.

“In fact, he needs to give assurance that such illegal and unconstitutional developments are exactly events which will not be permitted to happen as they will exacerbate disunity and division rather than rebuild national unity,” he said.

Silence not an option, Najib

He was echoed by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who called on Najib to break his silence and send a strong message condemning the raid and ensuring no repeat.

“Since assuming the office of Prime Minister, Najib has been making so many big and nice speeches about moderation and unity, but he has so far not able to prove to the world and Malaysians he is a man of actions.

“Far too many times when he ought to have spoken up or taken actions, he has failed to live up to what he preaches and the public expectations...

“It is time that he must walk his talk on moderation and unity and must prove that he is a strong leader who is prepared to say and do what is right for the nation,” she said.

Jais yesterday seized more than 300 Alkitab from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) premises in Damansara, while police arrested BSM chairperson Lee Chin Moon and his office manager Sinclair Wong.

The duo were released on bail and are investigated under Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, which prohibits non-Muslims from using the word ‘Allah’.            

In 2011, the government said that Christians are allowed to print and import Bahasa Bibles, but the holy books must have the words 'Christian publication' and a cross sign printed on its cover if used in the peninsula.

This condition, part of the 10-point solution on the Alkitab issue, was reiterated following the Court of Appeal’s decision to bar Christian publication the Herald from using the word ‘Allah’.

Under the Selangor non-Islamic Religious (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988, the word ‘Allah’ is among the 24 words and terms which cannot be used by non-Muslims.

Others include 'firman Allah', 'ulama', 'ibadah', 'kaabah', 'illahi', 'wahyu', 'rasul', 'salat', 'nabi', 'fatwa', 'khalifah', 'wali', 'qiblat', 'hadith' , 'sheikh', 'injil', 'dakwah', 'haji' and 'iman'.