KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) slammed Selangor’s Islamic authorities for seeking to dispose of the 321 Malay and Iban language bibles, pointing out that the holy books are “not unlawful or subversive documents”.

Asserting that the bibles confiscated during a raid on BSM’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya on January 2 were “religious books of the Christian community”, the society’s president Bishop Datuk Ng Moon Hing said it is “unacceptable and unconscionable” for the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and its enforcement unit, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to hold on to the bibles.

“Jais’ insistence that it intends to hold on to the seized bibles pending a court order for their release pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Code is therefore without foundation,” said Ng, in a statement today.

“More importantly, it is a total disregard for the provisions of the federal constitution and an absolute breach of the rule of law,” he said.

Ng was referring to the religious authorities’ determination to obtain a court ruling to enable them to dispose of the Christian holy books, which contain the word “Allah”.

Prior to Ng’s statement, Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah today instructed Mais to settle the dispute in court.

According to the Sultan‘s private secretary, Mohamad Munir Bani, the legal avenue would allow the matter to be resolved amicably and without perception of bias.

“Jais should promptly refer it to the state public prosecutor for it to be brought to court for final determination,” said Mohamad Munir, in the statement from the Sultan.

Mais has insisted that there are grounds to “prosecute” BSM under the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, contrary to Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s decision not to press charges and to close the case.

The council claimed yesterday that the Sultan has consented to its decision against returning the seized bibles.

Ng pointed out that Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution granted discretion on prosecutions to the AG, which meant that the bibles should be returned immediately.

“It has become fashionable in recent days for public authorities to blatantly ignore the rule of law.

“Individuals proffer their own understanding and interpretation of the law, devoid of any legal basis. The trend must be stopped if religious harmony is to be preserved in Malaysia,” said Ng.

He also lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s advice to the religious body to adhere to the AG’s instructions.

Najib recommended that Mais to consult the Attorney General’s chambers if the council feels the legal institution’s decision should be reviewed.

The prime minister’s remarks came after several Muslim groups said Abdul Gani to be charged under the Selangor Shariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995 for his decision not to press charges.

The enactment prohibits any doctrine or acts contrary to Islamic laws and outlaws any opinions contrary to a fatwa or religious edict.