PARLIAMENT After coming under fire for remaining silent on Putrajaya's inaction against Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali's threat to burn the Bible, a vexed Sabah BN MP demanded that the opposition cite instances where the holy book was torched.

"During the general election, (the opposition) showed pictures where a vote for BN equals to a burnt Bible, but now look, are there any burnt Bibles?

"Tell me, have any been burnt?" demanded Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) who interjected when Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) was debating the budget speech in Parliament.

Earlier, Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) questioned the silence of BN MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, which have a substantial Christian population, with regard to Putrajaya claiming that Ibrahim's remark was to "defend Islam".

Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN-Kapit) also came to the ruling coalition's defence, stating that MPs from Sarawak were only being "disciplined" in not playing up sensitive issues.

He said the Sarawak BN leadership has already taken measures to ban Ibrahim as people who stir religious and racial sentiments have no place in the state.

"If Shah Alam (Khalid) behaves like Ibrahim, he too will be banned, but so far, not yet," he said.

Responding to this, Khalid cheekily suggested that Sarawak ban Umno from the state.

"We all know that Umno is a party that plays on racial politics," he said, prompting the East Malaysia BN MPs to accuse him of trying to sow discord between them and their West Malaysia counterparts.

'BN must redeem itself by charging Ibrahim'

Continuing his speech later, Chong said he supported the Sarawak government's measure against Ibrahim, but added that BN must also speak out against bigotry in West Malaysia.

"The only way the government can redeem itself is to charge Ibrahim in court and withdraw its statement (defending Ibrahim).

"Or else, the government will be seen as encouraging religious extremism," he said.

Chong also lauded the Sarawak government's move in putting a stop to what he said were attempts to convert Christians to Islam by federal agencies from West Malaysia.

"I urge the federal government under Umno and BN to respect the rights of Sarawakians and do not try to create havoc among different religious groups in Sarawak.

"Do not export your extremism to Sarawak" he said.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri in a parliamentary reply last week  said no action was taken against Ibrahim's threat to burn Malay-language copies of the Bible because he was only trying to "defend Islam".

Ibrahim had made the threat early last year after taking offence that the holy books used the word "Allah" which he said could confuse Muslims.

Nancy who received brickbats for the response later said she was merely conveying the explanation by the Attorney-General's Chambers.

'Nancy owes nation an apology'