Muslim groups rap NUCC for censuring Jais over seizure of Bibles

Some Muslim groups have hit out at the National Unity Consultative Council for censuring the Selangor Islamic Religious Depatment (Jais) on its seizure of Bibles containing the word Allah from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) last week.

Speaking on behalf of a coalition of nine pro-Umno Muslim NGOs, Perkasa deputy president Datuk Zulkifli Noordin (pic) said the NUCC’s disapproval was a transgression of natural justice as Jais had acted according to the law.

He said the NUCC should have allowed Jais to explain its action.

He also said that the enforcement body did not seize Bibles per se, but had only seized publications which contravened section 9 of Selangor’s Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

"It so happened that the publications were Bibles," Zulkifli said at a press conference today.

He added that the offence under the enactment came under civil law and was not under syariah jurisdiction, as such, it applied to non-Muslims as well.

Zulkifli also said that the contention by NUCC that the seizure went against the 10-point solution was wrong, as the 10-point solution did not cover the use of the word Allah.

"Nothing in the 10-point resolution says that Malay Bibles can contain the word Allah. It merely says that Bibles in Malay can be imported," he added.

When pointed out that the Home Ministry had given its stamp of approval for the imported Bibles, Zulkifli reiterated that it did not mean the Home Ministry had approved of the word Allah in the Bibles.

"The government allows the Bibles to be imported, but any imported material must comply with the laws in the country.

"And having the word Allah means the importer and the distributor are the ones who have not complied with the law.

"Jais is not wrong in its actions, although it is being made out to be so by the NUCC," he said.

He added that the perception that the unity council was controlled by certain groups of people was cause for concern.

As such, he appealed to the NUCC to change its approach in dealing with inter-faith matters.

"To us, NUCC has failed to carry out their duties in a mature and professional manner in ensuring justice for all.

"Why is the issue not being looked at from the perspective of the Muslim community? Have we lost our right to defend our right to profess and practise our faith," he asked.

Perkasa information chief Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, meanwhile, said the NUCC should include ulama as members.

"What we have now is Ustazah Marina Mahathir in the council," he said.

Zulkifli noted that the 10-point solution was merely a policy while the Selangor enactment was law.

"It is basic legal knowledge that law is above policy.

"If you cannot learn to respect the law, then I don't know if you are fit to be in this country," he added.

Zulkifli also questioned the Selangor government's silence over the matter.

He warned all parties to behave in a rational manner to preserve harmony among the different religions in the country.

"Don't allow this to be destroyed by the desires of certain people who do not understand nor respect the sensitivity of others," he added.