The government's decision to stamp a Untuk Kristian Sahaja disclaimer on the 5,100 copies of the Bible in the Malay language released from impoundment recently may be challenged in court, says a human rights lawyer.

Annou Xavier said he has been in contact with "a couple" of pastors, who were considering dragging the Home Ministry to court as they felt their rights as Christians have been trampled on.

NONE He said stamping such a disclaimer on the Bible, also known as the Al-Kitab in Malay, infringes on Christians' right to propagate their belief among non-Muslims.

Citing Article 11 (4) of the federal constitution, Annou ( left ) stressed that restrictions are placed only on the propagating of religions to Muslims, but silent where non-Muslims are concerned.

The English translation of Article 11 (4) reads: "State law and in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam."

Hamstringing propagating efforts

Annou said when contacted: "The federal constitution is very clear on this. By putting a ‘For Christians Only' stamp on the Bibles, it is as if Christians cannot propagate to non-Muslims."

However, he declined to give more details on the contemplated move, only saying that the issue was still being discussed.

This is the latest controversy to crop up since the Home Ministry confiscated 35,000 copies of the Bible from Port Klang and the Port of Kuching about two years ago.

The government recently decided to release the impounded copies, but proceeded to stamp the copies that were seized from Port Klang with the disclaimer and serial numbers before making them available to the importers.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala said in a statement that it is required by the 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act to stamp the disclaimer on the Bible in the Malay language that is circulated locally.

The action drew the ire of Christian leaders, with the Christian Federation of Malaysia issuing a strongly-worded statement condemning the "desecration" of the holy book.