GEORGE TOWN, March 7 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng condemned today the dissemination of several booklets said to chronicle the life of a married Jesus in the western district of Balik Pulau.
Called the “Al Masih” booklets, the publications in Bahasa Malaysia reportedly contain apocryphal information alleging that Jesus, a central figure in Christianity who also features in Islam, was married to a woman named Mary.
“So, not only do we want to condemn the distribution of the booklets, even Christian groups condemn the distribution of these deviant teachings,” Lim told a news conference here.
The Ayer Putih assemblyman said the booklets, which were subtitled “Chronicles of the Life of Jesus”, contained information contrary to the mainstream doctrine in both Christianity and Islam.
He suspected its distribution in seven villages in Balik Pulau to be the work of mischief-makers and urged the police to investigate and nab those out to provoke anger and confusion.
“I believe it is not from any Christian or Muslim groups because both faiths know that Mary is Jesus’ mother, while the booklets contained contradictory information about Jesus being married to Mary,” the lawmaker said.
Several Balik Pulau residents highlighted the issue in a news conference with Teluk Bahang assemblyman Shah Headan Ayoob, after finding copies of the green-coloured booklets on their doorstep Thursday.
The residents have since filed a complaint with the police.
Southwest district police chief Supt Lai Fah Hin said the investigation, under Section 298A of the Penal Code for attempts to cause disharmony or disunity on grounds of religion, is still underway.
No suspect has been identified, he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.
