-M.Kulasegaran, MP., January 5, 2014.

Selangor Islamic Affairs Department’s (JAIS) illegal raid at the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) premises was most shocking and totally unacceptable.

Equally shocking was the explanation given by the department director Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad to Selangor executive councilor in charge of religion Sallehen Mukhyi- that the department forgot to inform the Selangor government before the raid.

How could a department director offer such a pathetic and ridiculous excuse?

Selangor government must not accept such pathetic excuse from JAIS.

Sallehen should also ask Ahamad Zaharin if JAIS was not aware of the Cabinet’s 10 Point Solution.

In Apirl 2011, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Idris Jala had announced the Cabinet’s 10 point solution to resolve the Alkitab issue. Point number 7 of the solution reads as follows:-

“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.”

As JAIS’s raid and confiscation of the Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia and Iban languages went against the 10 Point solution, the Prime Minister Najib must provide answers to the following two questions-

1.     Were JAIS officers briefed on the 10 Point Solution? If not, why not?

2.     If yes, will disciplinary action be taken against the JAIS officers for violating the Solution?

Most important of all, the Prime Minister must make urgent efforts to find a fair solution to the “Allah” issue so as to preserve inter-religious harmony in the nation.