I read with interest Malaysian Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad’s comments in New Delhi calling on all to be more sensitive to religious sentiments.

He also said to follow the ‘Malaysian experience’ as Malaysia was a ‘plural society having a high degree of religious tolerance, and where the government allowed its people to practice their own religion although Islam was the official religion’.

With the numerous recent cases involving the banning of children’s Christian books, the exclusive use of the word ‘Allah’ and most recently, the confiscation of 32 Bibles by Customs officers at the LCCT; many wonder if our dear CJ has been misinformed on the actual status of religious tolerance in Malaysia.

Many a time Christians have complained that their Holy Book had been confiscated by Customs or Jakaim officers. Recently, the chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, Bishop Dr Paul Tan had registered the feeling of Christians on the above issues and asked the government to intervene and issue a directive to all government agencies to refrain from taking their own stand on issues which touch on the sensitivities of all believers.

We sincerely hope that all those who preach religious tolerance and respect for all the various religions in Malaysia will put their words into practice.