KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 ― The Attorney-General (AG) must explain the delay in returning the bibles seized by Selangor religious authorities especially following the public’s criticism against the move, DAP’s Gobind Singh Deo said today.

The Puchong MP also cautioned Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to not run away from the issue as it also concerns the state.

“He should recognise the concern expressed by not only the Bible Society of Malaysia but also the greater public over the matter. There is no reason why he should remain silent in these circumstances,” said Gobind in a statement here, referring to the AG.

According to the Puchong MP, Khalid ought take it upon himself to meet the AG and press the latter for an answer to the impasse and a solution towards the problem as soon as possible.

“The Menteri Besar will inspire confidence if he took a proactive approach in the matter rather than appearing to want to push it upon the Attorney General alone for resolution.

“The Menteri Besar cannot and should not run away from the fact that the issue concerns the state as well as it is Jais which conducted the raid,” said Gobind, using the Malay acronym for the Selangor Islamic Department.

Gobind is the latest Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmaker to press Khalid to take action and not shirk his administration’s responsibility, after DAP’s Dr Ong Kian Ming last week.

This comes as Khalid told a press conference last week that the state government had decided not to interfere with the ongoing controversy, and that Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) would have to officially write to AG Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail if it wants the holy books returned.

Khalid told reporters that the state executive council decided that the onus falls entirely on BSM to “show their determination and desire” to recover the bibles confiscated by the Jais over the use of the word “Allah” in the translations.

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.

Using that state law, Jais seized 300 Malay and Iban language bibles at the start of the year. No charges have been made.

Previously, The Malay Mail Online reported that Jais was expected to return “most” of the bibles seized in the January 2 raid, save for a few for further investigations.

Besides Selangor, nine other states have similar enactments banning non-Muslim usage of “Allah” and other Arabic words, except Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and the Federal Territories.

BSM had 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.