The Home Ministry's decision to impose a ban o­n the Iban Bible - Bup Kudus - has left parishioners confused and fearful.

Many churches in Sarawak have been conducting services using Bup Kudus - which is a translation of the New and Old Testaments - for Iban Christians who o­nly understand that language.

Bup Kudus

was among the 51 books that the ministry banned last week. No reasons were given but it is believed to be connected to certain words that have been in common use among Iban parishioners in church services that some people have found to be inappropriate.

Yesterday, Sarawak police chief Mohd Yusoff Jaafar said the police have yet to receive any instructions to enforce the ban.

"As of now there is no black and white ruling from Bukit Aman (federal police headquarters) or the Home Ministry," he was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post.

Mohd Yusuff also held discussions with representatives of various churches o­n Monday.

'Shock and dismay'

Meanwhile, the Association of Churches in Sarawak issued a statement saying that Christians in the state could not understand why the book had been banned.

"The member churches are shocked and dismayed to read that Bup Kudus is among the books banned by the Home Affairs Ministry," said the statement.

It added that the ban had caused "confusion, fear, anxiety and alarm among the Christian community in Sarawak."

In a related development, Iban leader and Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Dr James Masing said he would write to the Home Affairs Ministry to ask for an explanation.