Christians alarmed by Bible burning 'plan'

A Christian church in Butterworth lodged a police report today after it received an anonymous notice stating that there would be a festival to burn Bahasa Melayu versions of the Bible this Sunday at 10am.

The notice invited the public to attend the event in front of Dewan Ahmad Badawi at the Bagan Luar municipality field in Butterworth.

Rev John Kennady of the St Marks Anglican Church, Butterworth who lodged the report at the Butterworth station at 3pm, said he did it to alert the police.

It is not certain if the notice is a hoax or not as it was not signed and did not state who the organisers of the alleged event were.

"I saw the notice this morning and informed Bishop Ng Moon Hing. Then I lodged the police report," Kennady told Malaysiakini, when contacted.

"The police were very cooperative. They took the document, said they would investigate, and also check for fingerprints.

"They also said they would step up security around the church. The police take the matter seriously as it is a sensitive issue," he stressed.

When Butterworth OCPD Abdul Rahman was contacted byMalaysiakini and asked to confirm if there was a police report on the alleged event, his phone line was abruptly cut off. Despite several followup calls, he failed to respond.

‘Abhorrent act'

Bishop Ng, who is chairperson of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, condemned the alleged event as an "abhorrent" saying it was first mooted by Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali following a report that several quarters were distributing bibles to Muslims.

"Now it seems someone or a group has threatened to make Bible-burning a reality this Sunday on a day most sacred to Christians," said Ng (right) in a statement.

"All religious Scriptures are sacred books and we should not threaten to burn them or to desecrate them in any manner.

"Christians are peace-loving people who will continue to seek peace and harmony across all religious groups for the well-being of our great country. We pray that good sense and moderation will prevail for all people in times such as these," he stressed.

Ng called on those who "desire to foment hatred for political gain to cease and desist from such a vile act - an act unbecoming of Malaysians who uphold the Rukunegara of which the first pillar is "belief in God".

Nibong Tebal Gospel Hall elder Teo Seang Hooi said he had yet to hear off or receive the notice but expressed hope that rational thinking would eventually prevail.

"We pray that all parties will exercise restraint and self-control and not blow things expressed by a small group of extremists out of proportion," said Teo, who is also a Seberang Perai Municipal councillor and DAP Nibong Tebal branch chief.