The Penang government has refuted claims that Malay Bibles were distributed to students at a school in the state, calling it an "extreme provocation" by irresponsible parties.
State religious exco Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim said today after the state government had conducted its investigations and found the allegation to be false.
The alleged distribution of the Bibles was first highlighted by Bahasa Malaysia daily Sinar Harian, which reported that Sekolah Menengah Haji Zainal Abidin parent-teacher association (PTA) chairman Nor Amin Ahmad's claim that he had caught three men handing out Bibles at another school in the area.
"This report is not only confusing but it has created doubts because it is understood that until today, no police report has been made over the matter," Malik said in a statement.
"And according to the state CID chief Superintendent Mazlan Kesah, the three men said to have been caught by the PTA president were also not handed over to the police."
Malik said extremists were playing the "same script" once again as last year when it was alleged that Malay Bibles were distributed to students in Penang.
"But police investigations revealed that it was not true. Now they are repeating the script.
Nor Amin was quoted to have said that the Bibles were titled “Kenalilah Alkitab (Know the Bible)” and contained the words “Sebuah panorama Firman Allah dalam 366 bacaan dan renungan harian” (The Word of God in 366 daily readings and reflections).
He asked why such material was being distributed to students and claimed that this was an attempt to subvert the faith of Muslims.
Nor Amin added that there have been acts of proselytisation among the students themselves.
However, Malik revealed that the PTA chairman had refused to cooperate with the state religious authorities, who had gone to the school to investigate the incident.
"This has created doubts about whether the incident actually took place as reported by the daily," he said, adding that it was learnt that Nor Amin had a "different political stand" from the state government.
Malik also noted that the reporter stumbled on the story posted on Nor Amin's Facebook page, which has since been removed.
"And Nor Amin had admitted to the reporter that he only heard the story from a 'mystery teacher' who is now being tracked down by police.”
He also hit out at those who had claimed that the Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang government was planning to ban Friday sermons in mosques.
"It is a slander, which is nauseating, because banning Friday sermons is like banning Friday prayers and closing a mosque.
"Only those who are not mentally sound would come out with slander like this," Malik added.
He reiterated the call by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who had rebuked Umno for stoking racial and religious hatred among the people.
"Extremists, including racial extremists and religious extremists have no place in any society. It has to be curbed before the seed grows and affects the whole nation.
"Before GE13, Penang was made the target of pro-BN protesters who tried their best to ignite the racial and religious flames. But it was rejected by the people who gave PR the mandate to lead the state."
He said recent provocations in Penang, including the hanging of provocative banners with the word “Allah” outside a few churches, the firebombing of the Church of the Assumption, the desecration of a mosque by throwing a slab of meat, believed to be pork, near the entrance, and now the Bible distribution claim, were "new types" of attacks.
"Their strategy seems to have changed with different approaches but the aim isal the same. We are confident that these destroyers and extremists will continue with their agenda, especially when it seems to be endorsed by certain parties." - TMI
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