Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali said getting the seized copies of the Malay language bibles returned to the Christian community has not been an easy task.

Replying when asked what assurances the state would give that a raid such as what happened to the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) would not recur, Azmin said everyone needs to appreciate the process taken to return the bibles.

"We must appreciate that it was not an easy task.

"(However), we must have the courage to make tough decisions," he told reporters today after the key handover ceremony for Selangorku Idaman PKNS flat buyers.

The process was done in a series of consultations between various parties, such as the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) and BSM, before reaching an agreement.

 

"After a series of consultations, we came out with a consensus and received the consent of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah," he said, adding that the initiative was mooted by the sultan.

 

"It was not an easy decision to make but with courage of conviction and the support of all parties, we were able to reach an understanding on this issue," he added.

 

About the rakyat

After close to a year, the Selangor government finally returned the copies of the Bible seized from the BSM yesterday.

In a statement yesterday, Azmin announced all 351 copies of the Bible were handed over to the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) on behalf of BSM, at Istana Alam Shah, Klang.

 

The copies of the Bible, which contain the word 'Allah', were seized by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) after a raid at BSM's premises early in January.

 

Meanwhile, Azmin was also unfazed by claims from the NGO called Movement of Citizens Defending the Sedition Act 1948 that he was a "Christian lackey".

 

"This is a democratic process. They can say whatever they want to say but as menteri besar, I have to take this tough stance and decision in the interest of the rakyat.

 

"I am happy that this move was consented to by the sultan and agreed to by all parties," he said.

Spirit of moderation

Meanwhile, Selangor DAP chief Tony Pua admitted there was fear Azmin would not be able to deliver after promising "too much too soon".

 

"Our fear was understandable given the failure of the previous menteri besar as well as knowing the strength of the entrenched resistance of the opposing forces. ‎

 

"We should not have doubted. Azmin Ali was true to his word," he said.

 

Praising Azmin, Pua said the new menteri besar managed to do in less than 60 days what his predecessor Khalid Ibrahim could not in nine months.

 

Pua also thanked the Selangor sultan for seeing an end to the saga.

 

"At the same time, the DAP would like to express our gratitude to His Royal Highness, the Selangor sultan for having the wisdom in ensuring that the spirit of moderation is prioritised in multi-religious and multi-racial Selangor. 

 

"His graciousness has resulted in a win-win situation for all communities in the country," he said.

 

Pua also expressed optimism that Azmin's approach will also help resolve several other problems plaguing the state, including potholes, rubbish collection and controversial highways.