Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is prepared to meet the Council of Churches in Sarawak to discuss the recent banning of the Iban Bible or Bup Kudus.

Speaking at the media conference after chairing the Umno Supreme Council meeting this evening, Abdullah said the decision whether to stay the ban will be decided after the meeting with the association.

'God' disputed

The Home Ministry decision to ban the book last week, together with 50 other publications, has left parishioners confused and fearful as no reason was given.

However, the ban was believed to be due to certain words in the books, which some people found to be 'inappropriate' though they were commonly used among Iban parishioners in church services.

Commenting o­n the matter, Abdullah admitted that several translated words in the books were the reason for the ban.

"(For instance), the book has translated the word 'God' as Allah Taala (which resembles Islam's name for god, "Allah"). They claimed that it is the proper translation, although they pronounce it slightly differently."

Nevertheless, Abdullah agreed that if Allah Taala meant 'God' in Iban, then the Home Ministry has no grounds to ban the word.

He said the matter was also discussed in the recent cabinet meeting. He said it should be stated clearly o­n the book that it was a translation of the Bible in Iban language, meant solely for Christians.

"It is not true that the book has been circulated around," he said to concerns about that, adding that the book is definitely for the use of the Ibans.

Public feedback

Asked why the matter was o­nly raised lately as the Bible translation has been around for 15 years, Abdullah said it came from public feedback.

However, the Iban have reacted by urging the government to lift the ban.

Meanwhile, DAP has also called o­n the Home Ministry to revoke the ban, saying that it is unconstitutional as it infringes the rights of the Iban to practise their religion.