MBPJ visit rejected as Bible Society still ruffled
Nigel Aw & Lawrence YongPublished: Jan 7, 2014 5:43 AM | Updated: Jan 7, 2014 9:03 AM
The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) said today it blocked a visit by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) officers to its premises as it felt very sensitive and harassed.
The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) said today it blocked a visit by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) officers to its premises as it felt very sensitive and harassed.
Confirming that two MBPJ officers had asked to do routine inspection on its premises in Damansara Kim this morning at about 9am, BSM secretary-general Reverend Simon Wong however said the officials were chased away. Wong defended BSM’s actions, as it was still feeling ruffled after last week’s raid by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais).
“After the Jais incident, we consider this very sensitive to us and consider this as a form of harassment. We hope if the MBPJ wants to do a check, send prior notice, get proper authorisation,” Wong told reporters at the PJ Hilton this evening.
When contacted, Teng Chang Khim (left) - the Selangor exco member in charge of local government, study and research - said he did not instruct the inspection and had sought an explanation from the mayor.
"The mayor explained that the inspection of the building is to check whether it is still in compliance with the approved building plans," he said.
The mayor had explained the inspection was in anticipation of any questions raised about the premises in light of the recent event, Teng said.
He also said that such inspection is routine, but urged both BSM and MBPJ to see it through in a proper manner.
"I hope BSM will not be too sensitive as MBPJ has jurisdiction over the building and has a duty to ensure compliance,” Teng added.
"Of course, MBPJ should be better in its approach and should have called to inform the society first. That would have been better. I hope that this matter will not be misunderstood.”
Published as far back as 1629
Wong defended the BSM as a registered company which has been distributing copies of the Malay-language Bible to Christians in Malaysia for nearly three decades since 1985, and before that there was also a joint society between Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia which carried out the same work.
He further said that the Malay Bible copies containing the banned word ‘Allah’ was not BSM’s idea as it has been published as far back as 1629.
“It is not that the Christians want to annoy Muslims... this is how they address God, you take it away... how do they relate to God?” Wong said.
“We are not talking about them going to the streets to propagate religion,” he added.
Commenting on Jais, Wong said that he was hesitant to lodge police reports against a Selangor state organisation.
“Right now, we are not thinking of legal actions, not even lodging police report against Jais despite people telling me... I believe in good nature and goodwill that exist among Malaysians,” Simon told reporters.
“I believe in offering the hand in friendship rather than showing a fist. True to the good nature of Malaysians, people from the government has approached us the next day pledging to look for solutions.”
Confirming that two MBPJ officers had asked to do routine inspection on its premises in Damansara Kim this morning at about 9am, BSM secretary-general Reverend Simon Wong however said the officials were chased away. Wong defended BSM’s actions, as it was still feeling ruffled after last week’s raid by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais).
“After the Jais incident, we consider this very sensitive to us and consider this as a form of harassment. We hope if the MBPJ wants to do a check, send prior notice, get proper authorisation,” Wong told reporters at the PJ Hilton this evening.
When contacted, Teng Chang Khim (left) - the Selangor exco member in charge of local government, study and research - said he did not instruct the inspection and had sought an explanation from the mayor."The mayor explained that the inspection of the building is to check whether it is still in compliance with the approved building plans," he said.
The mayor had explained the inspection was in anticipation of any questions raised about the premises in light of the recent event, Teng said.
He also said that such inspection is routine, but urged both BSM and MBPJ to see it through in a proper manner.
"I hope BSM will not be too sensitive as MBPJ has jurisdiction over the building and has a duty to ensure compliance,” Teng added.
"Of course, MBPJ should be better in its approach and should have called to inform the society first. That would have been better. I hope that this matter will not be misunderstood.”
Published as far back as 1629
Wong defended the BSM as a registered company which has been distributing copies of the Malay-language Bible to Christians in Malaysia for nearly three decades since 1985, and before that there was also a joint society between Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia which carried out the same work.
He further said that the Malay Bible copies containing the banned word ‘Allah’ was not BSM’s idea as it has been published as far back as 1629.
“It is not that the Christians want to annoy Muslims... this is how they address God, you take it away... how do they relate to God?” Wong said.
“We are not talking about them going to the streets to propagate religion,” he added.
Commenting on Jais, Wong said that he was hesitant to lodge police reports against a Selangor state organisation.
“Right now, we are not thinking of legal actions, not even lodging police report against Jais despite people telling me... I believe in good nature and goodwill that exist among Malaysians,” Simon told reporters.
“I believe in offering the hand in friendship rather than showing a fist. True to the good nature of Malaysians, people from the government has approached us the next day pledging to look for solutions.”
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