Returned bibles not to be distributed in Selangor, says Mais

Mais chairman Mohamad Adzib returning the bibles to Reverand Bolly, in the presence of Sultan Sharafuddin and Azmin Ali.

PETALING JAYA: The return of the seized bibles containing the word "Allah" was made with strict conditions that they are not to be distributed in Selangor, said the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais).

Its chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said the bibles, which were handed over to the Bishop of Kuching Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok on Friday, were only for the usage of Christians in Sarawak.

"This settlement is to respect each other's religious beliefs and maintain the sensitivity of various religions in the country.

"The Selangor Sultan also expects other faiths to protect the religious sensitivities of Muslims in this country, especially Selangor, and hopes that the distribution and printing of bibles containing the word 'Allah' will no longer be done here as it is against the Non-Islamic Religious Enactment (Control Development Among Muslims) 1988," he said.

Adzib clarified that the case involved the seizure of the 321 bibles from the premises of the Bible Society of Malaysia in January had initially been referred to the Public Prosecutor for prosecution in court.

The Public Prosecutor subsequently decided that no action would be taken against any party, nor would there be any reference to the courts in regard to the return of the seized bibles.

"The Public Prosecutor did order that the disposal of these bibles be done in accordance with the law.

"Thus, the matter was conveyed to the Sultan of Selangor, who commanded Mais to dispose of the confiscated bibles by returning them to the Association of Churches in Sarawak," he said.

The handing over of the bibles was done on Friday morning in the presence of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and state Mentri Besar Azmin Ali.