'At last, they have raised the white flag. See what people power can do. This is only one battle. There are many more before us.'
Gov't orders release of copies of Malay Bible
David Dass: At least the issue is over. Wise and sane heads have prevailed. It is important that the prime minister and his cabinet reflect on this issue. It should not have happened. Those responsible for the fiasco have acted foolishly. A lot of tension and anxiety was the result.
The PM has responded positively. Hopefully this episode is behind us now. The Christians in Sabah and Sarawak can now have their Bibles and worship in peace.
Paul Warren: The Muslim mind is the one that has been manipulate the most in this whole episode. They would not have bothered about any of this until told by Umno that Christians should not use ‘Allah'.
It is Umno which has made it seem to the Malays that the Arabic language is ‘holy' and needs to be protected. It is Umno that has made Muslims in Malaysia believe that they have dominance over Christians and have a say over how they worship. It is Umno which has made Muslims believe that Christians should not worship in Bahasa Malaysia as it is a language that belongs to the Malays who are constitutionally Muslim.
It may have been a prick on the Christian behind and this is no victory to celebrate about. But I worry for my Muslim friends for whom a manufactured issue now turns to become a disappointment and maybe even fear. They can thank Umno for this.
Sandakan: Umno should apologise publicly and to the Christians for detaining the Bible. They released the Bible because of public outcry over this inconsiderate and stupid act. If the Bible can be released now, why have they been detained for so long?
Minister in the PM's Department Idris Jala should not make the announcement. Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein should be the one.
Bluemountains: At last, they have raised the white flag. See what people power can do. This is only one battle. There are many more before us. Throw out this stupid government as they cannot see what is right and what is wrong. They are all the time blinded by racial and religious issues.
Swipenter: Sarawakians must not let this ‘generosity' clouds their minds. They (especially the Christians) must not let their guard down. They must continue to educate and enlighten their fellow brothers and sisters on their rights to practice their religion freely. They must be educated on their political rights and the dangers of those bearing gifts, especially during election times.
The indigenous people in the peninsula are being told by an ex-PM that their lands rights are not as strong as the Malays because they do not have a civilisation that predates the Malay civilisation. Please think about what can happen to you as indigenous peoples of Sarawak and Sabah. In Sabah, they are already a minority overtaken by more ‘civilised' people from neighbouring countries.
James Dean: As far as I am concerned, the Home Minister lied to all Malaysians when he said that the detention of the Malay Bible was due to the current appeal by the government against the High Court ruling. He is an ignorant minister. We have too many of his kind in the government.
Singa Pura Pura: How would the Muslims in Malaysia, in particular the 'constitutional Malays' like Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali, feel if it were proposed that all copies of the Quran be stamped on the front cover with the words: 'For Muslims Only'?
It would make so much sense, wouldn't it? After all, the Bible is for Christians and the Quran is for Muslims. The written warning on both books would clear up any confusion, and we will no longer have the disciples of one religion reading the text of the other.
Further, it would be even more effective if Parliament were to legislate a penalty for unapproved inter-religious reading of religious texts. Say, a fine of RM3,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months for such an offence. Maybe throw in up to six strokes of the rotan for repeat offenders.
Onyourtoes: Idris Jala, first, may I know why you are the one releasing the statement that the detained Bible can now be released. Are you the minister in charge of religion? Second, why haven't Umno big shots come forward to release the statement?
Third, you call this resolving the problem? If the church leaders had not made noise, if the Sarawak election is not impending, do you think this problem will be resolved so quickly?
Look, non-Malays and non-Muslims are not beggars in this country. We are not beholden to anybody, more so at BN's grace and mercy. Only our God Almighty can grant us that. So please stop making more nincompoop statements.
Gen2: None of the Muslim cabinet ministers dared to make this announcement. So they get the Christian Idris Jala to do it. But he's in charge of economy, not religion nor internal security and not even national integration. So why him?
Now let's just see whether the Talibans in the Home Ministry will listen to him.
Michael Angelo: See how a little real competition in Sarawak elections can make the mighty BN government change their mind. Now imagine and apply this to the federal level. If there is a two-party system, whoever is the federal government will have to respect the will and power of the rakyat.
So it makes sense to establish a two-party system in this country. Vote Pakatan Rakyat in GE 13. Don't miss this God-given once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Myop101: I beg to differ. The cabinet has not given a directive that all present and future importation of the BM Bible are given blanket approval to be imported into Malaysia. Mind you, even if it is stamped with ‘For Christians Only', future shipments can still be held up in the ports throughout the country.
What they are doing is akin to merely dousing a boiling pot with cold water to cool it. But the real solution is to either put out the fire or take the pot away. I don't see the pot being moved or the fire being put out.
This issue will definitely be strongly featured one way or other by the Christians until the cabinet pulls their discriminatory directive on the use of the word 'Allah', which is used by other faiths including Sikhism.
Lover Boy: Christians in Malaysia, take note. According to Sarawak deputy chief minister George Chan and PM Najib Abdul Razak, now I help you, you must now help me in the coming Sarawak election. If I help you and you don't help me, how can I help you in future?
Alex M: Judas betrayed Jesus with 30 silver coins. I hope our dear Sarawakian friends won't betray their country. Yes, take the Bible, say a prayer and vote out the rotten BN from Sarawak and Sabah when elections come knocking, which is very soon indeed.
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IMPOUNDMENT OF BM BIBLES
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Bibles released: BN's interests override values
Do not confuse religion with God
