The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is offended by the suggestion from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to have the Bible translated into Bahasa Malaysia by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) over the contentious use of the word "Allah."

In a statement, CFM chairperson Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim said the suggestion put forth by Mais lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla was an attempt to infringe upon the constitutional right of Christians to manage their own religious affairs, as enshrined in Article 11 (3) of the Federal Constitution.

"The Holy Bible and the Al-Kitab in Bahasa Malaysia form part of the sacred patrimony of Christians, and any attempt by any person not authorised by the Christian churches to provide an authoritative version will be firmly rejected. This is not just an outrage to Christians and their sensibilities.

"It will be a most heinous form of offence against what all Christians believe to be divinely inspired scriptures, the Word of God," Leow said.

CFM’s objection to DBP undertaking the translation of the Bible comes on the heels of a similar stance from the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, which said last Saturday that the language agency lacks the necessary expertise.

Leow added that many words in Bahasa Malaysia, including the word "Allah," had been used since "time immemorial" by local Christians and in the region, as well as by those in the Middle East.

"As recently as 16 October, His Royal Highness, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the Sultan of Selangor, reminded all Selangor citizens to respect the main principles in the Federal Constitution for the country’s harmony and peace,” he noted.

"As reported by the secretary of the Royal Court of Selangor: 'The Malay rulers are of the opinion that the image of Islam as the federal religion is a religion that should encourage its followers to be tolerant, moderate, inclusive and not polluted by extreme actions'," Leow noted.

He also cited a statement by the Conference of Rulers last month that said all must adhere to the core principles embedded in the constitution, as it was drafted based on the understanding that Malaysia is a country whose citizens are of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.

"All who hope for continued unity and stability in our beloved country must surely take such wise and timely advice to heart, for the betterment of all who live in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious community," he added.

Haniff had made the suggestion recently at the hearing of Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill’s suit against the government over the use of the word “Allah” in Christian literature.