Although the impounded copies of the Al-Kitab Bible have been released, dissatisfaction among the Christians deepen over the conditions set by the government over their holy book.

In a strongly-worded statement titled ‘Holy Scriptures Desecrated’, the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) called the decision to stamp and include serial numbers in the Bible as an act of ‘desecration’ and ‘defacement’.

“The Christian community in Malaysia is deeply hurt that the government has desecrated and defaced the Bible.

“Initial news that the government had agreed to release copies of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia which had been impounded in both Port Klang and Kuching was greeted with joy.

“However, this joy soon turned into grief and mourning when it was discovered that the release was subject to certain conditions,” said CFM chairperson Bishop Ng Moon Hing.

CFM is the umbrella body representing main Christian bodies in the country accounting for about 90 percent of the Churches.

Al-Kitab a restricted item?

The ministry, in deciding to release the 30,000 copies of Al-Kitab in Port Kuching and 5,100 copies in Port Klang, had ordered that the words 'For Christians Only' and a serial number be stamped on the inside cover of each copy.

“This means that the Bahasa Malaysia Bible is now treated as a restricted item, and the Word of God has been made subject to the control of man.

“This is wholly offensive to Christians. Any person who respects the Holy Scriptures of any religion would be appalled by this action,” said Ng.

He added that while the Christian community in Malaysia had always acted in ‘good faith and with great patience’ to find amicable solutions, the gesture has not been reciprocated by the government.

“It is the Government that has moved the goal posts over the years through a systematic imposition of unreasonable conditions and restrictions,” he said.

‘We refuse to claim the Bibles’

CFM also affirmed the consignee’s stand not to take the bibles, saying that they have never agreed to any wording to be endorsed on Bibles saying that they are ‘Only for Christians’.

“The 1982 order issued under the Internal Security Act 1960 did not state that any form of words had to be endorsed on any copy of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia.

“The latest letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 15 March 2011 is therefore a set of new conditions imposed on the release of the impounded Bibles which is wholly unacceptable to us.

“We will never accede to any desecration of the Bible since the Word of God to us is sacred.

“We also wholly reject the government’s contention that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia is prejudicial to the national interest and security of Malaysia, and treated as a subversive publication.

“As Christians we wonder how our Holy Scriptures can become a national security threat where countless number of us find it helpful in bringing hope and healing to broken lives and homes which we can testify to. Besides it commands us to be better citizens of our beloved nation.

“We therefore insist that the government withdraw the conditions imposed on the release of the Bibles impounded in Port Klang and Kuching. Given that copies may already have been endorsed, we will not take delivery of those endorsed copies,” said Ng.

Meanwhile, he called all Malaysians to unite in rejecting any attempt to restrict the freedom of religion in the country.

He also urged the Christians to remain calm and to continue praying for a “dignified and respectful resolution” in this impasse.