Pembela mulls court action over '10-point solution'

Coalition of Muslim groups Pembela has said it is mulling legal action over what it described as the ‘Idris Jala Formula’ over the Malay-language Bible issue that it alleged violated the federal constitution and national laws.

These include articles 3 and 11 (4) of the constitution and sections 298 and 298A of the Penal Code over the position of Islam, the propagation of religions other than Islam, and the deliberate wounding of the religious sentiments of other persons.

"For this reason, the distribution of the Malay-language Bible is not a decision to be permitted (taken) so easily out of pressure from any quarters," said the group in a statement signed by its spokesperson Yusri Mohamad ( right ).

Yusri was referring to the 10-point solution proffered by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala on Saturday in which Christians groups are allowed to import the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, without restriction.

These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, said Idris in a statement.

While the formula allows for the unconditional dissemination in Sabah and Sarawak of the Al-Kitab, copies of the Al-Kitab meant for Peninsula Malaysia have to be stamped with the cross and have the words 'Christian Publication' on them.

Pembela, however, poured scorn over the proposal from Idris, decrying the latter’s failure to consult with Islamic groups over the matter.

"The status of this decision (announced by Idris) is unclear and cloudy. We have been given the impression that Idris Jala and the Attorney-General’s Chambers were given the lead (Over the issue).

"Discussions were also had only with the Christian Federation of Malaysia, while parties representing the voice of Muslims, whether within the government or (Islamic) groups were not taken into consideration.

"We would like to ask whether this is the government’s new approach in dealing with religious issues?" Pembela said.

The group also noted that the 'Idris Jala formula' did not indicate that the views of minister in charge of religious affairs Jamil Khir or minister in charge of national unity Koh Tsu Koon had been taken into consideration.

"Both these ministers are responsible for clarifying to groups and individuals who are members of the government’s (Special Committee to Promote Inter-Religious Harmony and Understanding (SCPIRHU).

"Why was this avenue (for discussions) sidelined in tackling this issue?"

It had earlier been announced that 5,000 copies of the Malay-language Bible Al-Kitab impounded at Port Klang would be released to its importer, the Bible Society of Malaysia, after they had been stamped ‘For Christians Only’ and serialised by the Home Ministry.

Following an outcry over what it described was a desecration of their holy scriptures, Jala announced a change of wording to ‘For Christianity’ and gave Christians the option of either collecting the Bible or ordering new copies, both of which costs would be borne by ‘Christian donors’.

Addressing the offer subsequently, the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said the proposal did not address "the substantive issues " at stake over restrictions of Christians to practice their religion.

This led to Jala’s ( above ) announcement on Saturday that all restrictions on imports and printing of the Bible had been lifted.

Yesterday, however, Catholic Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing ( left )  denounced the offer as "insidious" and "evil" for effectively imposing two sets of rules - one for Sabah and Sarawak and the other for Peninsular Malaysia - with regard to the dissemination of the Malay Bible.

On its part, Pembela insisted that the debacle was due to groups that was seeking to force the government into bowing to its demands by means of "confrontations, manipulation and pressure".

As such, Jala’s ‘formula’ reflects an "unhealthy trend" and an encouragement for such groups to achieve its aims by more tactics of confrontation, manipulation and pressure even went in conflict with the federal constitution, national laws, history and the culture of the nation.

"Therefore, Pembela calls for a review of the Idris Jala formula and its streamlining in accordance with the laws and the understanding reached between religious and ethnic communities.

"Because this issue has to do with the position of Islam and Muslims, the representatives of the Muslim community need to be taken into consideration to reach a more accurate formula.

"If these demands are not heeded, Pembela will consider challenging the ‘Idris Jala formul’ in court."

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