Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has said that the state's move to stamp bibles seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) before returning them, was to ensure they do not return to Selangor.

 

In an exclusive interview with The Star , the ruler was reported to have said that the bibles had breached Non-Islamic Religions (Control and Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

 

He was also reported as saying that the Association of Churches of Sarawak (ACS), which had received the returned bibles, were aware of the stamping.

“I hope that the distribution and printing of the bibles that contain the word ‘Allah’ will no longer be done in Selangor,” he said.

“At the same time, we have to remember that the seized bibles belong to the Christians. They had to be returned to the rightful owners,” he added.

He also said that he “did not involve politicians” in making a decision to return the bibles.

“We need common sense for religion,” he said.

“I do not care about getting the credit. My duty is to get the job done,” he added.