Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has backed the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) that saw 351 Malay and Iban language bibles confiscated and two detained.

Hishammuddin was quoted as saying by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia that Jais' action was in accordance with the law.

'We have parties responsible (for enforcing the law) and Jais had taken action based on the court's ruling," he was quoted saying.

He was referring to a Court of Appeal decision last year ruling that the ban on The Herald's use of the word 'Allah' remains. The Catholic Church is appealing the decision.

Meanwhile Bernama reported Hishammuddin calling for all quarters to cease the polemics over the use of the word 'Allah' for the sake of peace in the country.

He said the refusal of certain quarters to accept the court's decision on the matter cultivated hatred and disunity, which he feared might cause turmoil in the country.

"The court has made its decision. We must accept it. Stop the polemics and stop politicising the issue, if not there will be chaos," he said after officiating at the closing of a course at the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MPAT) and presentation of diplomas.

He was asked to comment on a statement by priest father Lawrence Andrew, editor of The Herald Catholic weekly, that churches in Selangor would continue to use the word 'Allah' in reference to God in their weekend services.

It was pointed out that this went contrary to the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, on Dec 14 requiring Malaysians in Selangor to comply with the prohibition on the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims as provided for under the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

Last October, the Court of Appeals decided that The Herald could not use the word 'Allah' in its Malay edition as the usage of 'Allah' was not an integral part of the Christian faith.