Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Joseph Kurup has suggested that a standard operating procedure (SOP) be introduced so that any dispute regarding religious materials brought into the country meant for Christians in Sabah could be avoided.

He said discussions had begun between the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Home Affairs Ministry with inputs from Christian churches in the state.

“We feel an SOP is appropriate so that there will be no hiccups at the airports,” he told reporters after witnessing the delivery of 300 Christian compact discs (CDs) and 500 religious books to the Protestant Churches in Sabah (PCS) in Kota Kinabalu today.

The CDs and books were confiscated from a PCS member, who arrived from Medan, Indonesia, by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department at the KL International Airport 2 on Oct 25.

Kurup, who is also the Promotion on Understanding and Harmony among Religious Organisations Committee chairperson, said the items were inspected as part of a normal routine by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department on passengers who arrived from another country.

“The inspection was just a normal routine and had nothing to do with the items containing the word ‘Allah’,” he added.

Upon hearing that the items had not been released, he stepped in for the items to be released as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, PCS member Maklin Masiau, who received the items, thanked the government for their understanding and for returning the items in good condition.

- Bernama