VIDEO | 2:09 min

The standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department will be revised after the agency's raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) sparked outraged among the Christian community.

Sallehen Mukhyi (right), the exco member in charge of Islamic affairs, said the Selangor government will propose the revision after Jais handed over its report on the raid.

"Jais has done its report and we will improve in terms of SOP,” he told a press conference in Shah Alam this morning.

However, he said the state government does not intend to comment further, as the matter is under police investigation.

"... we leave it to the wisdom of Jais and the police to resolve the case according to law," he said.

Sallehen did not reveal the reason for review of the SOP or say what specific changes could be implemented.

On Jan 2, Jais had raided the BSM and confiscated over 300 copies of the Malay and Iban language Bible which uses the word ‘Allah’.

The agency said it was enforcing the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988 which bans non-Muslims from using the word.

Sallehen agreed when asked by reporters that improvements in the SOP will include the exco’s approval before a raid takes place.

In the press conference, Sallehen was mobbed by reporters questioning his stand on the Jais raid against BSM, whether the action was proper or otherwise, and to this he replied curtly “that is was correct in terms of SOP”.

Prior to the press conference, he spent an hour meeting the Catholic weekly The Herald editor Lawrence Andrew, Klang MP Charles Santiago and Andalas assemblyperson Xavier Jeyakumar at his office.

Inter-faith council established

Sallehan also announced the formation of an inter-faith council to resolve religious problems in the state in the near future.

“I am thankful with the views aired by colleagues and an inter-faith council among the community would be formed so there could be better understanding and bridge other religions to ensure that any religious problem can be resolved in a better way,” he said.

“That is why an inter-faith dialogue programme would be held to ensure racial harmony,” he said.

Sallehen said the views of the council could be relayed to the palace from time to time.

“I will not stop here and would like all those involved to look after any religion - to negotiate with the sultan to ensure there is harmony,” he said.

Also present at the press conference was Lawrence Andrew, the editor of Chatolic publication The Herald, who courted controversy when he said Christians in Selangor will continue to use the term "Allah".
 
Andrew explained that his comments were based on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees religious freedom for non-Muslims.
 
"Every religious group has its own right to manage its religious affairs... I cannot go and tell Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists what to do.
 
"I want to say let's be brothers and sisters, let's reach out to each other and let's build the bridges," he said.