Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department or de facto law minister Nancy Shukri has spoken. The Malaysian government has spoken .

It is okay to say to burn the Bible.

So - Burn, Baby, Burn.

We are just “defending” Islam.

So Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali is “off the hook” and will not be prosecuted for offending the 30 percent of Malaysia’s population - 6 million people - who are Christian.

The Malaysian government has officially told Ibrahim Ali, “Keep on spewing your ignorant, racist nonsense. It is okay. Nothing will happen to you.”

I am sure that Ibrahim loves it. The Malaysian government has sanctioned his pompous, arrogant, ignorant, racist rhetoric. Malaysia’s biggest blowhard is now reveling in his self-importance.

But what if I said we should burn other Holy Books in order to defend my religion, Christianity?

I can imagine the outrage.

But I have not said that. Nor has any responsible Christian leader in Malaysia or anywhere else in the world.

What Nancy Shukri said is outrageous. She should be ashamed of herself.

But I know she is not. She is only doing what is expected of Umno politicians these days.

Nancy Shukri is not ashamed. She did her duty. She is saluting her political masters with a big  “Seig Heil,” and I am sure they are praising her for what she said.

JOHN MALOTT is a former US ambassador to Malaysia.