A Christian group today raised its concern that the passing of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 will not lift restrictions placed on the Malay language al Kitab (bible) under the Internal Security Act 1960.
Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairperson Bishop Ng Moon Hing (left) said this is because a clause in the Bill states that any order issued under the ISA will remain, even after the Act is repealed.
The ISA will be repealed once the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 comes into effect. The Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat today after about 10 hours of debate.
“Pursuant to Clause 32 of the Bill, such orders (on the al Kitab) will remain in force notwithstanding the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960. This is wholly unacceptable,” Ng said in a statement.
“Clause 32 reads that the repeal of the ISA will not affect any order issued or made under the repealed Act prior to the date of coming into operation (the replacement law), unless earlier revoked by the minister.”
An ISA restriction order was placed on the al Kitab on March 22, 1982, prohibiting the possession, sale, circulation or use of the Malay language bible by non-Christians throughout Malaysia.
The following year, another ISA restriction order was imposed on the Kalam Hidup, a Malay language Christian publication, citing it as “prejudicial to the national interest of the federation”.
The Perjanjian Baru (the second book of the al Kitab) was restricted in 1983 for the same reason but was allowed “subject to the possession or use in churches of such publication by persons professing the Christian religion, throughout Malaysia".
Illegitimate restriction
Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairperson Bishop Ng Moon Hing (left) said this is because a clause in the Bill states that any order issued under the ISA will remain, even after the Act is repealed.The ISA will be repealed once the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 comes into effect. The Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat today after about 10 hours of debate.
“Pursuant to Clause 32 of the Bill, such orders (on the al Kitab) will remain in force notwithstanding the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960. This is wholly unacceptable,” Ng said in a statement.
“Clause 32 reads that the repeal of the ISA will not affect any order issued or made under the repealed Act prior to the date of coming into operation (the replacement law), unless earlier revoked by the minister.”
An ISA restriction order was placed on the al Kitab on March 22, 1982, prohibiting the possession, sale, circulation or use of the Malay language bible by non-Christians throughout Malaysia.
The following year, another ISA restriction order was imposed on the Kalam Hidup, a Malay language Christian publication, citing it as “prejudicial to the national interest of the federation”.
The Perjanjian Baru (the second book of the al Kitab) was restricted in 1983 for the same reason but was allowed “subject to the possession or use in churches of such publication by persons professing the Christian religion, throughout Malaysia".
Illegitimate restriction
Calling on the revocation of the order, Ng said it is an “illegitimate restriction of the right to profess, practice and propagate one’s religion” as provided for under the Federal Constitution.
“It adds insult to injury if they are allowed to remain on our statute books,” he said, urging the prime minister to live to the spirit of the global movement of moderates which he champions.
About 35,000 copies of the al Kitab were impounded in Port Klang and Kuching last year, with the Home Ministry citing a 1986 cabinet directive banning non-Muslims from using the terms “Allah”, “solat”, “kiblat” and “Kaabah”.
The holy books were, however, released last year just before the Sarawak election when the government came up with a 10-point solution, which among others allowed the import of the al Kitab.
The al Kitab is also allowed to be printed locally but copies circulated in peninsula Malaysia must have the words ‘Christian publication’ and the symbol of the holy cross printed on the front cover.
“It adds insult to injury if they are allowed to remain on our statute books,” he said, urging the prime minister to live to the spirit of the global movement of moderates which he champions.
About 35,000 copies of the al Kitab were impounded in Port Klang and Kuching last year, with the Home Ministry citing a 1986 cabinet directive banning non-Muslims from using the terms “Allah”, “solat”, “kiblat” and “Kaabah”.
The holy books were, however, released last year just before the Sarawak election when the government came up with a 10-point solution, which among others allowed the import of the al Kitab.
The al Kitab is also allowed to be printed locally but copies circulated in peninsula Malaysia must have the words ‘Christian publication’ and the symbol of the holy cross printed on the front cover.
Sekali lagi muncul isu Alkitab ni. Rasanya lebih baik jika hal berhubung dengan agama ni dibincangkan secara tertutup. Isu ni mampu mengundang kekecohan bila ramai pihak yang tidak berpuas hati.
ReplyDeletePerkara ini sememengnya perlu dibincangkan secara tertutup. Ini melibatkan agama maka biar mereka yang tahu dan mahir dengan perkara ini melakukan perbincangan.
ReplyDelete