DAP has called o­n the Home Ministry to lift the ban o­n the Iban-language bible and 11 other Christian literature written in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia.

The ban is unconstitutional as it infringes o­n the rights of Ibans and others to practise their religion, its Perak chairperson Ngeh Koo Ham said in a statement today.

"Many Ibans are Christians and they are entitled to have their bible in their own language," he stressed.

Banned this week

Seven other Christian books published by the Persekutuan Pembaca Alkitab (Bible Readers Federation) have been banned by the government this week..

They are Metode Penelaahan Alkitab written by Dick & Tinem Maitimoe; Seri Pemahaman Doktrin Alkitabiah: Dunia Kepunyaan Allah by JI Parker; Seri Pemahaman Doktrin

Alkitabiah: Dunia Kepunyaan Allah

by Arthur E Cundall; Belajar Berjalan Dengan Allah by Charlie Riggs; Memahami Isi Alkitah by John R.W.Scott; Seri Pemahaman Doktrin Kebenaran by William L Lane; and Alkitab: Buku Untuk Masa Kini by John RW Scott.

Ngeh saw no reason why these books which are o­nly Bahasa Malaysia translations of the English version should be banned when the original versions are allowed to be sold in the country.

Four other books published by Penerbit Kanisius also banned are Mengenal Tulisan Perjanjian Baru by L Subaryo Pr; Sejarah Singkal Liturgi Barat by Theodor Klauser; Surat-surat Paulus 2 by Lembaga Biblika Indonesia; and Doa Santap by Sr Bernadette PMY.

The ban o­n the Iban bible and Christian literature seemed to be based o­n the language used rather than the content, Ngeh said.

Reading materials

He charged that the government's action in banning the Iban bible confirms the belief that the Barisan Nasional government has all along been trying to prevent the indigenous peoples like the Ibans and Orang Asli from converting to any other religion except Islam.

"The government cannot deny the Ibans and other Christians who are conversant o­nly in Bahasa Malaysia access to reading materials about their religion," he said.

The DAP leader pointed out that it would be wrong o­n the part of the government to worry about the Malay ethic group having access to these materials.

"In fact, the government should encourage Malay Muslims to read about other religions so that they can have a better understanding of other religious beliefs.

"Likewise, non-Muslims should also be encouraged to learn and understand Islam better through the availability of and easier access to literature in languages they understand."

Ngeh said a better understanding of each other's faith would go a long way in promoting mutual respect and religious harmony among Malaysians.

Therefore, the ban o­n the Iban bible and other publications should be lifted immediately, he added.

No acceptable guidelines

DAP member of Parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok made a similar plea to the Home Ministry to justify its decision to ban the books.

To arbitrarily ban the books without proper or acceptable guidelines is unjustifiable and amounts to a violation of religious freedom, she said in a separate statement.

"Moreover, did the ministry consult the various publishers and religious groups and organisations concerned before deciding to ban the books?

"The ministry must therefore explain why it considers the books to be detrimental to public 'health' and why they are categorised as undesirable publications."