The government said that its 10-point solution has successfully paved the way for the release of the 35,100 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia which were impounded in Port Klang and Kuching.

NONE Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala said the two importers and owners of these Bibles were Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM), the legal owners of the 5,100 Bibles impounded in Port Klang, and Gideon, the importer of the 30,000 Bibles in Kuching.

"BSM has already collected the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang and its president, Lee Min Choon, said they welcomed the 10-point solution," he said in a statement tonight.

Idris said Gideon had also officially informed him and Home Ministry officials that they would collect all the 30,000 Bibles impounded in Kuching.

Idris said he had written to request Home Ministry's officials to stamp the words ‘Invalidated by KDN’ over the existing stamp which was previously put on the Bibles.

"KDN officials are now going through the process of stamping all the 30,000 Bibles with the words ‘Invalidated by KDN’. Once this is done, Gideon will collect the Bibles," he said.

BSM touched by government’s humility

Idris said BSM deeply appreciated the government's 10-point solution which was not only an affirmation of the 2005 agreement but also included additional safeguards to ensure that incidents that have recently been the bone of contention should not recur.

BSM was also deeply touched by the government's humility in admitting to shortcomings in the handling of the Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia issue and their request for forgiveness, he said.

"BSM, without hesitation, forgives. BSM also releases the government of any obligation, legal or moral, to compensate BSM for the 5,000 copies of the Bible that cannot be sold and leaves this matter to the goodwill and judgment of the government."

Idris said BSM also welcomed the government's commitment to work with all religious groups to address inter-religious issues.

"This will be especially significant as BSM seeks the government's cooperation in its forthcoming task to replenish supplies of the Bibles to Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christians who have been without these scriptures for the past few years.

"In this respect, BSM requests that the government consult BSM, as the principal producer and importer of the Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia Bible, directly on any issue involving the said Bibles," he said.

Hisham: Collective decision by cabinet

Idris said he had also met with the Association of Churches of Sarawak (ACS) in Kuching today to explain the 10-point solution put in place by the government.

"In Sarawak and Sabah, there should be no issue at all. No stamp, no serial numbers. The Bibles can be printed and can be imported without any restriction, whatsoever," he said.

NONE Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said: "This is indeed a positive development, I appreciate the positive and considerate attitude taken by the Bible Society of Malaysia and Gideon, in dealing with this matter. I wish to confirm that the 10-point solution is a collective cabinet decision."

On March 15, the government issued a directive to release all Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, which were impounded in Port Klang and Kuching.

However, the Christian groups which imported the Bibles, did not collect them because they did not accept the stamps and serialisation of the Bibles.

This resulted in the formation of a Special Cabinet Committee on the matter headed by the prime minister, and made up of the deputy prime minister, several ministers and the attorney-general, to discuss the issue and find a fair and amicable solution.

Taking into account the polarity of views of the different religious groups, including Muslims, the government decided on a 10-point solution which included that Bibles in all languages could be imported into the country, including in Bahasa Malaysia or Indonesia.

However, not all agree with the 10-point solution. Yesterday the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth issued a scathing statement rejecting the government proposal.