Malaysians must remain calm and not over-react to the issue relating to the use of ‘Allah’, and subsequent threats of burning the Malay-language Bible.

NONE Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Koh Tsu Koon (right in photo) said this was the opinion of  cabinet members after the issue was raised and discussed during a meeting yesterday.

“In the meantime, all sides should refrain from open polemics on the issue of the use of ‘Allah’, since the case is still pending in the Court of Appeal,” he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He was responding to Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali’s call for the Malay-language Bible to be burned, describing it as insensitive and irresponsible.

Koh, who is also Gerakan president, said that despite Ibrahim’s attempt to explain the context of what he had meant, the public perception was that he had definitely gone overboard, hurting the feelings of the Christian community.

“Although Ibrahim can champion Malay nationalism and rights, as a member of parliament, he has a civic responsibility to take cognisance of our multi-religious society and refrain from making such remarks for the sake of peace and stability.

“If Ibrahim's intention was to handle the alleged proselytisation of Muslims by non-Muslims from his perspective, he could have advised Muslims being given Bibles to surrender them to the police, rather than suggest burning them as a solution,” he added.

- Bernama

 

Ignore Bible-burning rumour, say police