The inspector-general of police must explain the police's involvement in Thursday’s “unconstitutional” raid by Jais on the Bible Society of Malaysia’s offices, says DAP.
The Selangor Islamic Department seized more than 300 Bahasa Malaysia and Iban Bibles from BSM's premises.
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) should explain why the police assisted in the raid “when it is the first duty of the police to protect the Constitution and uphold the law”
“Instead of tarnishing the police image and professionalism with ‘fairy tale’ conspiracies like a plot to topple the government on New Year’s Eve, which turned out to a pack of lies, Khalid should restore public confidence in the independence, efficiency and professionalism of the police force,” Lim said in a statement today.
“He must explain and convince Malaysians that the police had not aided and abetted Jais in an illegal and unconstitutional act.”
“There is no doubt that without police backing, Jais’ illegal and unconstitutional raid on BSM and the seizure of more than 300 copies of Malay and Iban Bibles would not have taken place.
“Are the police ignorant and unaware that the Jais raid on the MBS and seizure of the Malay and Iban Bibles was a gross violation of the 10-point solution to end the Bible controversy?”
Lim said under the cabinet-endorsed 10-point solution, which sets out rules for importing Bibles, government officers who violated its terms could be hauled up for disciplinary action under the Public Service Department’s general orders.
He said these included the police and Jais officers who participated in the raid.
The police's involvement casts doubt on whether the Najib administration was serious about holding true to the 10-point solution inked in April 2011, said Lim.
The raid is the latest incident which has prompted questions as to whether Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is backtracking on his earlier promises when he took office in 2009 to protect the rights of religious minorities.
“Point 7 of the 10-point solution gave an undertaking that disciplinary action under the general orders would be taken against officers for their failure to comply with the cabinet decision and ensure its proper implementation.
“How many government officers will be hauled up for violating the 10-point solution in the illegal and unconstitutional Jais raid on BSM and seizure of Malay and Iban Bibles?” Lim asked.
The raid caused an uproar among Christians and some Muslim leaders who said it violated Christians' right to worship under the Federal Constitution.
Jais had justified the raid on the grounds that it was enforcing a 1988 state enactment that prohibits the use of 35 Arabic words to propagate other religions among Muslims.
The 10-point solution also allows for the importation of Bibles in all languages.
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