Police quiz Ibrahim Ali over ‘Bible-burning’ threat

Police recorded Ibrahim’s statement yesterday. — File pic

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 31 — Penang police have recorded statements from two Perkasa leaders — its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali and information chief Roslan Kassim — over the alleged “festival” to burn Malay and Jawi versions of the Bible containing the word “Allah”.

Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said rumours had been spread that the “Bible-burning” gathering would be held at Padang Bandaran, Bagan Luar in Butterworth on the mainland last Sunday.

He said police recorded statements from the two Perkasa leaders yesterday and that the investigation report was ready.

“Police recorded statements from both the leaders here yesterday and they were co-operative. We have prepared the investigation report and will be submitted to the Attorney-General’s office,” he told reporters at the Penang police headquarters here today.

A pastor had lodged a police report in Penang last week over the distribution of anonymous pamphlets at a church, advertising a “festival” to burn Malay-language bibles at a field.

Police gave an assurance that there would be no such gathering to burn bibles as alleged at Padang Bandaran, Bagan Luar because such rumours were being spread by some irresponsible people.

Abdul Rahim said apart from the two Perkasa leaders, statements were also recorded from a number of individuals to assist investigations.

Muslim and Christian leaders here have been at loggerheads over the use of the Arabic word “Allah”, with the former claiming it referred exclusively to the Islamic God. — Bernama