The Registry of Societies (ROS) postponed its planned visit to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) today to a yet-to-be-announced date, without giving a reason.

BSM secretary Rev Mathew K Punnoose said he received a call from ROS this morning informing him that the inspection has been put off.

ROS had informed BSM in an email message that the would call at its premises at 1pm today, inciting a backlash from members of the public who accused ROS of “cracking down” on the Christian society.

The email received by BSM dated June 23 notified them of the inspection today "pursuant to Section 63 of the Societies Act."

Section 63 of the Societies Act states that the ROS may enter into the premises and inspect all records of any society if it "has reason to believe that any society is carrying on activities in contravention of any provision of this (Societies) Act."

However, the MalayMail Online reported yesterday that ROS said that its inspection would be a "normal procedure" and that "there is nothing suspicious here".

Routine check under Section 63?

Following the ROS announcement that this is to be a courtesy call, Punnoose ( photo ) said BSM welcomes the visit, but would like to know how a "routine check" falls under Section 63.

"This is the first time for such a routine check since the formation of BSM in 1984," he said.

This is not, however, the first time BSM has received visits from the authorities.

In January last year, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raided the BSM office and confiscated hundreds of copies of Malay-language and Iban-language bibles.

The bibles were eventually returned to BSM in November that year.