In the face of criticism, Khalid leaves decision to return Bibles in A-G’s hands
The Selangor Menteri Besar today insisted that the seized Malay- and Iban-language Bibles will only be returned once a decision is made by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, despite mounting criticism from his own party members over the matter.
Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (pic) said nothing will be done until the Attorney-General (A-G) completed investigations.
"We will only make a decision on returning the seized Alkitab and Bup Kudus to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) after investigations have been completed.
"After being advised by the state legal officer, we have decided to postpone the return of the seized holy books until the A-G has given his thoughts on the matter," he said today.
Khalid told this to reporters on the sidelines of the Selangor legislative meeting in Shah Alam.
The A-G was not available for comment despite being contacted on numerous occassions by The Malaysian Insider.
DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua earlier today urged Khalid not to ignore the interests of the minorities in Selangor and to protect them.
Pua said not only was it disappointing that the BSM had elected to move its offices from Selangor to Kuala Lumpur, but the state government was apparently indifferent as well.
"BSM's decision to move has embarrassed Pakatan Rakyat in our ability and sincerity to uphold the rights of minorities," Pua said.
He warned that the indifferent response from the Selangor state government could bode ill for PR and their long-term plans.
DAP Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo also said that Khalid must take steps to solve the bible issue and address the government’s failure in dealing with it:
“The menteri besar has displayed a total lack of interest and political will in his handling of the issue. And this has resulted in a serious loss of faith of not only the Christians, but other Malaysians under his leadership in Selangor.”
Gobind also echoed Pua's sentiment that the BSM move will be costly:
"Situations like these, needless to say, will cost Pakatan dearly in the next general election. This is precisely the reason why many have expressed great concern about Khalid's leadership in Selangor."
The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) said yesterday that it will move its operations out of Selangor to Kuala Lumpur, a federal territory, following the raid by the state’s Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on January 2, 2014.
BSM president Lee Min Choon said yesterday that move is needed as Putrajaya offers better protection to religious minorities, a blow to the PR-led state government.
Last January’s raid saw the seizure of some 300 Malay- and Iban-language Bibles from its premises in Damansara, Selangor. – April 16, 2014.
