The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) today collected 5,000 copies of the Al Kitab, the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, which has been detained by the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) since 20 March 2009.
In compliance with a letter from KDN dated 22 December 2005, BSM imported 5,000 copies of the Al Kitab with the sign of the cross and the words “Penerbitan Kristian” embossed on the front cover. In spite of this, the shipment of the Al Kitab was unjustifiably detained. In spite of many appeals, KDN refused to release the shipment for nearly two years.
On 15 March 2011, KDN faxed a letter to BSM informing that while the Bibles will be released, they must be stamped with new conditions. Before BSM can indicate their acceptance or rejection of these new conditions, KDN at 5 pm on 16 March 2011 informed BSM that the Bibles had already been stamped by KDN and asked BSM to collect the Bibles. BSM had since then made known their position that the action of KDN in stamping the Bibles amounted to an act of defacement and disrespect of the holy books of the Christians.
In view of KDN’s tendency to take arbitrary action without consultation of affected parties or respect for the religious sensitivities of the Christian community, BSM decided to collect the 5,000 copies of the Al Kitab to prevent the possibility of further acts of desecration or disrespect being committed against the holy books of the Christians by KDN and its officers.
The 5,000 copies of the Al Kitab that has been defaced by KDN cannot be sold to Christian buyers. Instead, they will be respectfully preserved as museum pieces and as a heritage for the Christian Church in Malaysia. This unfortunately will result in a loss of RM70,000 for BSM.
Concerning the offer to compensate BSM for the costs of this shipment, BSM wish to make its stand clear that BSM will only accept a cheque from KDN and will not accept any money from so-called “Christian donors.”
The Bible Society of Malaysia
29 March 2011
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
April 1st, 2011 at 4:46 am
Good move, BSM.
How about a national day of mourning? How about special services to commemmorate the holding, stamping, labeling and freeing of these Bibles?
How about compiling a book around this event so a “correct historical record” is retained?
April 1st, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Yes, the churches of Malaysia should repent and mourn not only due to the restriction of the word of God in this country but also for all the sins committed by Christian and non-Christian citizens.
As the Sarawak election heats up in the coming days, we should be careful not to use God or the Al Kitab issue just to help the Opposition merely gain political victory. By all means, pray for God’s will to be done in Sarawak and for justice to be given to the oppressed people and the opressor according to God’s wisdom and righteousness.
But the nation of Malaysia needs to be careful and alert about our spiritual condition during these end times. Global economic, political and geological shifts are happening heralding the return of Christ and the rise of the Antichrist who is currently seen as a political hero worldwide.
Malaysian churches need to wake up and be focused on God and what He has to say and planned for this nation in the days ahead.
Read: http://jeremiahliang.blogspot.com/2011/03/malaysia-at-critical-cross-roads-amidst.html