Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali today said the controversy surrounding the return of the Bible Society of Malaysia's (BSM) Malay and Iban language bibles being should not be dragged on further.

Azmin was responding to the media when asked to clarify on the stamp on the said bibles that prevents them from being distributed in Selangor.

"The matter has been settled. The issue is over. Don't create any further provocation," Azmin (left) told reporters after attending a Christmas luncheon at the Holy Family Church in Kajang today.

While Azmin has smoothened the controversy over the bibles that the the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) on Jan 2 by having them finally returned to BSM after the issue dragged on for nearly a year, some critics are unhappy with the caveat.

Jais had alleged the bibles, used by Malay and Iban speaking Borneo Christians, were being employed to convert Muslims.

Despite the attorney-general finding no evidence of the claim and ordering the bibles' release, Jais had initially refused to comply.

Azmin also said in his speech that he would ensure inter-racial harmony in the state.
 
"I give assurance to Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims, I will defend your rights," he said.
 
He also said that there will be "no space" for extremists in the state.

Meanwhile, Gerakan youth chief Tan Keng Liang, in a statement later, claimed that the controversy had become "worse" if the bibles were indeed returned with such a stamp.
 
He said that it would confirm "state police could impose restrictions" on other religions.
 
"We urge the MB to clarify it is true that the state government had imposed restrictions on Christian bibles in the state," he said, urging the state government to be "transparent".

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