The Government confirmed that it has been in dialogue with the Christian groups to look into their specific requests on the Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia Bible and also other religious issues. Taking into account the polarity of views of the different religious groups, including the Muslims, the Government decided on a 10-point solution.
1. Bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.
2.These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a new development which should be welcome by the Christian groups.
3. Bibles in indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang can also be printed locally and imported.
4. For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bibles in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.
5. Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community, for Peninsula Malaysia, Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words "Christian Publication" and the cross sign printed on the front covers.
6. In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their bibles and Christian materials on such travel.
7. A directive on the Bible has been issued by the Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) of the Home Ministry to ensure proper implementation of this cabinet decision. Failure to comply will subject the officers to disciplinary action under the General Orders. A comprehensive briefing by top officials, including the Attorney General (AG), will be given to all relevant civil servants to ensure good understanding and proper implementation of the directive.
8. For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, Gideon, the importer can collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge. We undertake to ensure the parties involved are reimbursed. The same offer remains available for the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang, which have already been collected by the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) last week.
9. Beyond the Bible issue, the Government wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with the Christian groups and all the different religious groups in order to address inter religious issues and work towards the fulfilment of all religious aspirations in accordance with the constitution, taking into account the other relevant laws of the country. In order to bring urgency to this work, the Prime Minister will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.
10. The Christian Ministers in the cabinet will meet on a regular basis with representatives of the various Christian groups in order to discuss their issues and work with the relevant Ministries and PM in order to resolve them.
Idris said:
"I hope this 10 point solution will be received positively by the Christian groups as being fair and reasonable. We have to look for a solution that deals with the Bible issues and also put a way forward to handle other issues raised by the Christian groups.
"I think the Bible issue is very unfortunate, and in the spirit of Lent, it is time for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness.
"In our history as a young nation, we achieved a lot in a short period of time, but we have our shortcomings.
"The Government and our civil servants are not perfect as indeed all human beings are “beautifully imperfect” in the eyes of God.
"And for all our shortcomings in handling the Bible issue, I hope the Christians would find it in their hearts to forgive us.
"In my Church at SIBKL, we have been praying for a Christian revival to take place in our country. For all the hurt that exist as a result of our differences, I believe that we need healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in this country.
"The Bible says in Matthew 18: 21-22 “ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”.
15 comments:
after election, change again... what is the different?
my oh my...so christian lah....
and so out of keeping with the times of dog eat dog and interlok!
Wow! The coming Sarawak State Election has undoubtedly make the BN more reasonable.This is what it should be all along as there is freedom of worship in Malaysia for all races except the malays.The malays do not have a choice.The freedom of worship does not apply to them!
BE SURE IT IS NOT FISSURED - 030411
The Bible by itself is really not an issue
But those who merely regard as tissue
There's no need for this matter to be further diffused
When all parties concerned refuse to be readily confused
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng
http://motivationinmotion.blogspot.com
Sun. 3rd Apr. 2011.
SO STRANGE THE BIBLES WERE IMPOUNDED IN THE CUSTOMS FOR 2 YEARS N SUDDENLY ALL OFFICIALS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO SETTLE THE ISSUE. WHY SO EFFICIENT SUDDENLY.OHITS ELECTION TIME IN SARAWAK. WHERE IS THE SINCERITY N HONESTY/ ANOTHER VOTE CATCHING METHOD USED
ROUNDED UP LIKE A BALL - 030411
God's Good News is meant to be shared
By all in response to His precious call
Nothing else needs to be added or shaved
Off when reading it is like having a ball
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng
http://motivationinmotion.blogspot.com
Sun. 3rd Apr. 2011.
This is clearly a "strong arm" tactic by the Churches. They are taking full advantage to blow this out of proportion at the right timing; the Sarawak election, knowling full well that the federal govt will succumb to their demands as 70% of sarawakian are christians. I found it utterly nonsense for the churches to refuse to collect the bibles which they claimed were "defaced" by the govt. What defacing? Did the govt tore out any pages? Did they sensor any words? They did not even delete a single letter! Nothing! What the govt did was the right thing - they were sensitive enough to strike a balance between the rights of the christians and public harmony. I felt there were a lot of hyprocricy on the parts of the churches...they preached love but they are filled with hatred in thier hearts by trying to instigate this and make it sounds like they were oppressed and denied of their rights to worship. I have many friends from other parts of Sabah and Sarawak - they said they prefer the english Bible. Perhaps those less educated and do not use english would read the malay bible.
If you ask me, I would say forget about the 10 point solution - these 10 point solutions will bring in 1000s of problems in t his country.
We all know for sure, one fine day, this malay bible will somewhat "accidently" be passed to some target muslims. You just wait. It will not take long. And when that happens, they will cite the UN charters on Human Rights - that every one is entitled to profess and practice the religion of his choice. History have shown this. History will repeat itself.
Hj Azar
so the Peninsula version got a Christian Publication & the cross sign imprinted on the covers but the rule doesn't apply to the version elsewhere and yet there's no restriction whatsoever for the people to carries the book while traveling.
I don't now bout you guys but the semantic brain in head detect a loophole right away. So what if the Borneo guys bring a boatload of their stuff eh?A problem for another time perhaps!
Dear Najib PM.
May God bless you.
When Prophet Muhammad SAW started preaching Islam in Mecca,his early followers were being prosecuate by pagan Arab.He had no choise but to ask them to leave Mecca and migrated to Etophia to seek protection.Etophia ruler was a Christian.
When the Etopian King pass away,The Prophet prey for him.
Also one of the Prophet Muhammaad saw wife Maria was a Coptic Christian from Egypt.
Salam
This guy, Hishammudin Tun Hussein Onn.
He is very good lawyer. Is he? He gives unnecessarily long answers to simple questions. And nobody understands the answers. I wonder if he knows what he is talking about.
Hishamuddin said nothing is finalise.Husaini,Perak Mufti said the solution is not applicable in Perak,Kedah,Selangor,Johore,Pahamg,kelantan and Terangganu.
Idris? how do you jump the gun and make the announcement.
Why make it 10? Is it synonymous to the 10 Commandments?
DearNuraina,
Basically, the Fed Constitution is the real deal for this whole situation.
The point is the current day politicians from both sides must understand that first.
Our fathers of the nation were unusually wise as they were blessed by God and along with their advisers were able to draw it correctly at most corners.
The current chaos is regrettable and totally uncalled for but requires responsible leadership to ensure justice for all is heeded.
ps. the same rules applies even on ethnic (eg.interlok dll) matters to ensure continued peace/wealth growth for the country and people.
HANG KANCIL
The government has ruled.
What we need right now is that cooler heads will prevail and this issue will eventually dissipate into thin air.
Politicians on both sides must immediately CEASE highlighting this sensitive issue for political gains.
We Muslims MUST remain calm and use our common sense. Remember that one of meaning of Islam is PEACE.
Rasulullah once said;
"A man will not achieve true faith, until he wants for [other] men what he would want for himself of the good".
Riwayah Ibnu Umar.
And to my fellow Christian countrymen, please remember that if any of you abuse this tolerance and secretly or openly engage in PROSELYTISM.
THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY WILL BECOME ENRAGED.
That I guarantee.
God help us all.
i would say it was not a really good will solution by the government and as religion is an awesome issue for this election,everybody are take for granted.So far as what i had read on that 10 points,it is reasonable but yet,STILL NEED RESTRICTION as we all live in a most emotional communities.NO SURPRISE if nothing future action taken, the Muslim community that never studies on this 10 Point will stand like what was happen in Egypt..so government,mind your step..
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