KUCHING, June 16 — The Sarawak government should prohibit both the Selangor Islamic department Jais and its parent body Mais from entering the state, a PKR leader here said, labelling both authorities “religious bigots” for refusing to release the over 300 bibles seized earlier this year.

Sarawak PKR vice-chairman See Chee How pointed out that the religious authorities of other states have no business entering Sarawak for official duty unless on consent from the state government.

“Religious authorities or NGOs which are religious bigots like Jais and Mais from outside Sarawak should not have authority in the state and should be banned from coming into the state, unless they have consent from the state government,” he said.

See was speaking to reporters after accompanying Mas Gading PKR branch secretary Francis Teron lodge a report against Jais and Mais, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council, at the Sungai Maong Police Station here this afternoon.

Earlier this year in January, Jais carted off over 300 Malay and Iban-language bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia’s (BSM) premises in Petaling Jaya, acting on a provision in a Selangor enactment that prohibits non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”.

Last week, the Attorney-General said no charges will be made against the BSM, pointing out that the seized items were not “controlled items” and that it was not a national security issue.

The AG added, however, that the state Islamic authorities would take the “next step” in accordance with the law.

In response, Mais said it would not return the holy books, claiming that the AG had erred by deciding not to pursue charges in the case.

It also insisted that there are grounds to “prosecute” BSM under the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

Instead, Jais and Mais are now seeking a court ruling which will enable them to dispose the bibles which had been seized on January 2.

Speaking to reporters after lodging his report here, Teron said the AG should “do the next logical thing” and order for the bibles’ release.

“Christians and all right-minded Malaysians are expecting Abdul Gani to do the next logical thing — to give a clear and specific order to the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) and Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) to release the bibles to the BSM,” he said.

Francis said Jais and Mais should not snub the decision of the AG because the latter is the highest authority when it comes to deciding on whether to prosecute a party for any wrongdoing.

“Even the court cannot overwrite the power of the AG when it comes to criminal prosecution, what more to say Jais and Mais,” he said.