The importer of 30,000 copies of Al Kitab has called for laws to prevent restrictions being imposed on the distribution of the Bible, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

Met in Kuching recently, a representative of the importer said this would complement the government’s 10-point announcement announced last Saturday.

“The announcement is very good. It is sensitive to our needs and has responded to what we want,” said the representative who declined to be named.

“But it would be wonderful if the government gazettes or amends laws to ensure that this does not happen again, so as to ensure our freedom of religion.”

The importer is a key figure of the Sarawak  chapter of the international Christian movement, The Gideons.

The 10-point announcement was hatched after Christian groups strongly protested the impoundment of the 30,000 copies in Bahasa Indonesia, and the government’s insistence that every copy should be stamped ‘For Christianity’ and carry a serial number.

Th NONE e importer has refused to claim the shipment, worth RM70,000, after the ministry unilaterally stamped the copies and placed serial numbers on them.

The consignment of Perjanjian Baru, Mazmur, dan Amsal (New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs) is being held at the Home Mnistry’s office in Jalan Satok, Kuching.

Asked what the next move would be, the representative said he would first have to consult the church elders.

“I have some solutions in mind. I will put them forward to the church leaders and see how they respond,” he said.

Except for Penang and the Federal Territories, there are state laws in Peninsular Malaysia that make the use of the term ‘Allah’ and other such terminology exclusive to Muslim publications.

Such laws do not exist in Christian-majority Sabah and Sarawak, a fact cited by the importer and church leaders in the two states to back their right to distribute the Al Kitab.

Row not resolved yet

The 10-point announcement goes beyond removing restrictions on the import of the Bible in any language for Sabah and Sarawak and even proposes that it be printed locally.

NONE The announcement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala ( right ), on behalf of the federal government, also offered reimbursement to the importer for the 30,000 copies that have been stamped.

Idris said the premier will meet the Christian Federation of Malaysia soon to discuss matters concerning the fulfillment of religious aspirations, in accordance with the laws.

But Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters yesterday that the government has yet to decide on the 10 points, which have not been presented to his ministry.

Idris’ announcement has irked Muslim pressure group Pembela, which has threatened to take the government to court.