SHAH ALAM, June 16 — State Opposition Leader Datuk Mohd Shamsuddin Lias today defended the Selangor Islamic Religious Council’s (Mais) decision not to return bibles seized from a Christian group here, arguing that the Attorney-General (AG) did not give specify for it to do so.
“The Attorney-General decided to close the matter as there is no case to be brought, but he also said it is up to Jais on the next course of action,” he told reporters after the assembly seating concluded for the day.
The Sungai Burong assemblyman from Umno also said he supports any action taken by the state religious authorities to curb apostasy among Muslims.
Mais and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) are now seeking a court ruling that will enable them to dispose the over 300 copies of Malay- and Iban language bibles the latter agency seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia on January 2.
On Saturday, Mais said that they will not return the bibles, claiming that AG Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail erred by deciding not to pursue charges in the case.
Mais reiterated that Jais, which comes under the council’s purview, will not adhere to the directive issued by the Selangor state government because the state had “no power” in the matter.
Mais insisted that there are grounds to “prosecute” BSM under the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.
Last week, the AG said no charges will be made against the BSM despite the seizure of 321 bibles by religious authorities because the books contained the word “Allah” to refer to God.
He pointed out that the seized items were not “controlled items” and that it was not a national security issue but added that Jais would take the “next step” in accordance with the law.
