Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the disruption of a Hindu wedding by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) was "embarrassing" and had "spoiled" the festivity.

"According to Jais it is not a raid, according to press it is a raid, and according to us, it is an embarrassment," he said.

"(A) wedding is a great occasion and they shouldn't spoil the wedding," Khalid added.

Khalid said this when asked if Jais' action of taking away bride Zarina Abdullah Majid, 32, for investigation was a "raid".

Jais had halted Zarina's wedding at a Petaling Jaya temple last Sunday because she has a Muslim name.

Zarina claims that she was born and raised as a Hindu but her name was changed by her estranged father, who converted to Islam.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council (exco) meeting, Khalid added that the state and Jais were willing to assist Zarina to change her name.

"After discussing the matter carefully, Jais has stated willingness to assist the woman in solving the issue...

"She can change her name to a name of her choice. If this is needed to solve the issue, we will assist," he said.

He said this included assisting her with dealings with the National Registration Department.

AG gets another month on Bible issue

Khalid added that Jais has been warned not to conduct any more raids on non-Muslim events or premises.

He said that any action by Jais that involves non-Muslims must first get approval from the state.

"We only allow Jais to do its work on Muslims," he said.

According to DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang, Khalid at a meeting with him today also promised that such action against non-Muslims will not recur.

"Khalid... has given his assurance there will be no repetition...

"Malaysians must not be held hostage by irresponsible elements in our midst who want to spread the alarm that Islam is under attack, when there is no basis whatsoever for such a message," Lim said in a statement.

On a another matter, Khalid said the state ihas given the Attorney-General's (AG) Chambers another month to resolve the issue of the seizure of copies of the Bible in the Malay and Iban languages six months ago.

"We are still waiting for the AG to resolve this and we have given a target and if not, the MB will have a meeting with the AG.

"We regard (that) another month will be a tolerable time," he said.

Selangor had referred the matter to the AG, by asking the AG to determine if the holy books were legally held, given that they have been cleared by the Home Ministry.

The books were seized by Jais in a raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia on grounds that it is illegal for non-Muslims to use words such as 'Allah' in any publication, including a holy book, in Selangor.

The holy books, in which God is referred to as 'Allah', are still held by Jais.

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