Seized Bibles to be released soon

SHAH ALAM: It looks like the investigation into the seizure of the Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia has been completed and the books are now in the process of being returned to the owner.
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the 321 Bibles seized by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on Jan 2 are in the process of being returned to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).
Speaking to reporters after launching an aircraft component maintenance facility here yesterday, Khalid, however, did not disclose when exactly the seized Bibles would be released.
The investigation came about after Jais raided the BSM office in Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya, in January and seized copies of the Malay-language Alkitab and Iban-language Bup Kudus.
Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Catholic weekly Herald, declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
Meanwhile, according to Malaysian Insider, state exco chairman on religion Sallehan Mukhyi said the state government is awaiting Home Ministry's approval to return the Bibles.
Jais has referred the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers following the completion of its investigation.
"Once the green light is given, the seized Alkitab and Bup Kudus will be returned to BSM," Sallehan said.
"We have not received any answers from the Home Ministry. What we know is that the Attorney-General's Chambers has handed the case over to the ministry and we are waiting for its reply," he said.
Sallehan was optimistic that the issue regarding the return of the seized Bibles could be resolved by the middle of April.
Jais' raid sparked a controversy as the department did not informed the state government prior to its operation.
Following the incident, Khalid instructed Jais to refer the matter to the Home Ministry.
Jais was also instructed to check whether the distribution of the Alkitab and Bup Kudus violated Putrajaya's 10-point solution, which allows the printing and distribution of the Malay-language Bible nationwide.
Under Section 9 of Selangor's Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, it is an offence for non-Muslims to use certain words, including "Allah", in any writings, publication, public speeches and statements.
BSM president Lee Min Choon said that Jais had not contacted them over the return of the Bibles.
"We have not approached them as well. We will just wait for them to decide," he said.