Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said the 10-point solution proposed last week had “paved the way” for the importers, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) and The Gideons, to collect back the books.
“The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) has already collected the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang,” he was quoted as saying today in an official statement from Pemandu.
“BSM deeply appreciates the Government’s 10-point solution which is not only an affirmation of the 2005 agreement but also include additional safeguards to ensure that incidents that have recently been the bone of contention should not happen again.
“BSM is also deeply touched by the Government’s humility in admitting to shortcomings in the handling of the Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia issue and their request for forgiveness. BSM, without hesitation, forgives,” said BSM president Lee Min Choon in the statement by Pemandu, the Performance and Management Delivery Unit within the Prime Minister’s Department.
The statement today said that The Gideons has officially informed Datuk Seri Idris Jala and officials of Home Ministry (KDN) officials that they will collect all the 30,000 Bibles impounded in Kuching.
Jala is a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Pemandu chief executive.
He announced the 10-point solution last week but Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said a day later that the formula had not been finalised.
The Gideons have also asked the Home Ministry to invalidate the previous stamp on the Alkitab, a act described as stupid today by Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is campaigning in the state election set for April 16.
The latest breakthrough is expected to help the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) keep its two-thirds legislative majority in Sarawak, which has a dominant Christian population.
According to the statement today, BSM has agreed to release the government of any obligation, legal or moral, to compensate BSM for the 5,000 copies of the bible that cannot be sold and leaves the matter to the “goodwill and judgment” of the administration.
BSM however stressed that the government should consult them on any issues pertaining to the Malay bibles as they were the principal importers.
The Home Ministry officials are currently stamping all the 30,000 Bibles with the words “Invalidated by KDN”. Once this is done, The Gideons will collect the bibles, the statement said.
The statement added that Jala had met up with the Association of Churches of Sarawak (ACS) in Kuching earlier today to explain the 10 point solution put in place by the government. During the meeting, he confirmed to the Christian group that the 10 point solution was the collective decision made by the Cabinet.
“In Sarawak and Sabah, there should be no issue at all. No stamp, no serial numbers. The bibles can be printed and can be imported without any restriction whatsoever,” Jala was quoted as saying during the meeting.
The Pemandu statement also quoted Hishammuddin expressing appreciation to the importers for resolving the issue.
“This is indeed a positive development. I appreciate the positive and considerate attitude taken by the Bible Society of Malaysia and Gideon in dealing with this matter.
“I wish to confirm that the 10 point solution is a collective cabinet decision,” Hishammuddin said. - Malaysian Insider
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