1. The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
Allow Bible in Bahasa Malaysia: Christian Federation、25 December 2008
by ROYCE CHEAH
PETALING JAYA: The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has called on the Government to re-look its restriction on Bibles written in Bahasa Malaysia.
CFM vice-chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng said considering that Bahasa Malaysia is the national language, it was perplexing that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia was classified under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act as a document “prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation.”
“Though special exemption was made for this Bible to be used by Christians in churches, in this modern day and age when almost anything can be accessed on the Internet, it is regrettable that our Holy Scriptures are still seen as ‘prejudicial to the security’ of the country,” Dr Eu said.
Dr Eu made this suggestion at the CFM’s open house which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi attended, referring to a previous statement that Abdullah had made, saying that his last mission before he leaves office next March would be to cool racial and religious tensions in the country.
“This is our wish for Christmas and we know these things will certainly ease tensions and it will definitely have a positive impact on your legacy,” Dr Eu said.
He also thanked Abdullah for opening up democratic space, which has brought greater freedom of expression.
He also pledged that the CFM would stand committed to and fervent in nation building.
© 1995-2008 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
2. The Straits Times (http://www.straitstimes.com)
Review Bahasa Bible rule , 27 December 2008
Classification of such bibles as 'prejudicial' should be scrapped, says Christian group
PETALING JAYA: The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has called on the government to review its restriction on Bibles written in Bahasa Malaysia.
Its vice-chairman Reverend Eu Hong Seng said that since Bahasa Malaysia is the national language, it is perplexing that the Bible in the language is classified as a document 'prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation'.
The Bahasa Bible is classified as such under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act, he said.
Malaysia's Malay Muslims are especially sensitive to the issue, worrying that the Bahasa Bible would be easily accessed by children if it is readily available.
The Bible in Bahasa is allowed for use in Sabah and Sarawak among the indigenous races.
'Though special exemption was made for this Bible to be used by Christians in churches, in this modern day and age when almost anything can be accessed on the Internet, it is regrettable that our Holy Scriptures are still seen as 'prejudicial to the security' of the country,' Rev Eu said.
Rev Eu said this at the CFM's open house which Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi attended on Thursday.
He referred to previous comments by Datuk Seri Abdullah that his last mission before he leaves office would be to cool racial and religious tensions in the country.
'This is our wish for Christmas and we know these things will certainly ease tensions and it will definitely have a positive impact on your legacy,' Rev Eu said.
The comments revealed the uneasy ties between the Malaysian government and Christians.
There is a pending suit by The Herald, a Roman Catholic newspaper, against the government over the use of the word 'Allah'.
The Home Ministry previously ordered the newspaper not to use the word 'Allah' in its Malay-language publication as a translation for God, saying it would confuse Muslims.
The Herald then filed the suit, claiming it had the right to use the term.
In a separate case, the Sabah Evangelical Church of Borneo has filed a lawsuit in an effort to be allowed to use the word 'Allah', after officials last year banned the import of books containing the word.
The hearings of this case are still in the preliminary stages.
Rev Eu, in his comments, thanked PM Abdullah for opening up democratic space, which has brought greater freedom of expression.
He also pledged that the federation would stand committed to and fervent in nation building.
PM Abdullah, in his speech, said he is aware that there are many problems that need to be addressed.
'I have been talking to various people on what we need to do to solve these problems.
'I hope we can achieve some of the efforts that we are making today to ensure that this country continues to be better for all of us in terms of the social environment,' he added.
He did not address the Bible issue directly.
PM Abdullah said in this context, he would like to work together with religious leaders to develop a mechanism that could be used to solve problems or differences when they arise.
'Though special exemption was made for this Bible to be used by Christians in churches, in this modern day and age when almost anything can be accessed on the Internet, it is regrettable that our Holy Scriptures are still seen as 'prejudicial to the security' of the country.'
・Rev Eu Hong Seng, vice-chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia
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