Nothing has been finalised on the Malay language Bible row and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein wants the people to stop speculating on the issue until the matter is considered resolved.

NONE Until all parties are willing to sit down and discuss the matter and a solution arrived at and presented to him, Hishammuddin  said, members of the public should refrain from speculating and commenting as this would only worsen relations between Christians and Muslims.

This comes despite Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala last Saturday revealing a 10-point solution to the controversy over the Bible in the Malay language.

"Nothing has been finalised yet on this matter. I would advise the people against speculating on the issue as this will affect relations.

"Nothing has been presented to me (as home minister). Unless the parties can sit down and find an amicable solution, and this solution is presented to me, and until then the people should not speculate further," Hishamuddin said.

He also said the Allah case was still pending in court.

'Allah issue also remains uncertain'

The minister said he was uncertain whether the Church was withdrawing its case or the Attorney-General's Chambers was withdrawing its appeal on the matter.

"As the situation remains uncertain, and as I have emphasised, do not speculate. I do not want to comment further on the matter for fear of upsetting the Christians or Muslims," he said.

The government, he said, was taking a step-by-step approach in addressing the issue, and that there was no use of the people commenting further on the matter.

"Let the discussions be held further and wait for the outcome."

Las NONE t Saturday, Idris ( right ) said Christian groups have been allowed to import the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Bahasa Indonesia, without restriction and that the Bible could also be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia.

The Al-Kitab issue has been a contentious matter following the seizure of more than 30,000 copies of the Bible in Kuching Port and in Port Klang.

Although the government has lifted the ban, the home ministry's action in stamping the words "Fopr Chistrians Only" and serial numbers on the impounded copies of the Bible has been criticised as desecration of the Holy Book.

Idris' statement has further put a spin on the government's stand following Hishammuddin's revelation today that nothing had been finalised in resolving the row over the Malay language Bible, which are largely used by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.

There is also concern that this controversy could have an impact on the Sarawak state election which will be held on April 16.

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