SHAH ALAM, Jan 26 — Selangor is pushing its state Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to wrap up its investigations on bibles being used to proselytise to Muslims here after Chinese New Year, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said today.

“I think we are trying to push it but hopefully the first week after the Chinese New Year,” he told reporters after launching the Chinese New Year Road Safety Campaign here.

Jais enforcers had seized over 300 Malay- and Iban-language bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) on January 2 on suspicion the Christian holy books were being used to convert Muslims.

A 1988 state enactment prohibits non-Muslims from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faiths, including “Allah” as part of measures to control the propagation of other religions to Muslims.

BSM has said that they distribute most of their Malay-language bibles to churches in Sabah and Sarawak, but also cater to Malay-speaking Christians in the peninsula, including the Orang Asli and those who come from East Malaysia.

Today, Khalid said he is waiting for the Home Ministry to clarify whether Malay bibles would be allowed in the peninsula. 

He said although the minister had responded publicly in his speeches, he would still wait for an official written reply.

“If the ministry does not come up with a decision, I would request that Jais study this in a thorough manner but quickly, so that this case can be resolved,” he said.

Khalid also clarified that there is no discussion on whether there is a need to amend the 1988 state enactment.

“I think amending enactment is a very serious matter,” he said.

He said the state only held talks to understand the proposal by three DAP assemblymen to revise a 1988 state law but stopped short of deciding on going ahead with it in the legislative assembly.

Damansara assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin, Bukit Gasing representative Rajiv Rishyakaran and Lau Weng San of Kampung Tunku had earlier this month suggested amending the state law to be consistent with the Federal Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom to non-Muslims, while still providing the necessary safeguards against proselytisation to Muslims.

The trio have since backed down from their proposal and said they would consult with the Pakatan Rakyat leadership before taking the next step, after being chided by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.