Published: Saturday April 2, 2011 MYT 6:29:00 PM
Updated: Saturday April 2, 2011 MYT 8:02:57 PM
PETALING JAYA: The Bible can now be imported into the country in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and in the indigenous languages.
It can also be printed locally and there is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.
These are part of a 10-point solution developed by the Government after being in dialogue with Christian groups, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala.
He hoped the solution would be received positively by Christian groups.
Below is the full statement by Idris on the 10 points provided to the media.
The Government confirmed that it has been in dialogue with the Christian groups to look into their specific requests on the Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia Bible and also other religious issues. Taking into account the polarity of views of the different religious groups, including the Muslims, the Government decided on a 10-point solution.
1. Bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.
2. These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a new development which should be welcome by the Christian groups.
3. Bibles in indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang can also be printed locally and imported.
4. For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bibles in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.
5. Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community, for Peninsula Malaysia, Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words "Christian Publication" and the cross sign printed on the front covers.
6. In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their bibles and christian materials on such travel.
7. A directive on the Bible has been issued by the Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) of the Home Ministry to ensure proper implementation of this cabinet decision. Failure to comply will subject the officers to disciplinary action under the General Orders. A comprehensive briefing by top officials, including the Attorney General (AG), will be given to all relevant civil servants to ensure good understanding and proper implementation of the directive.
8. For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, Gideon, the importer can collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge. We undertake to ensure the parties involved are reimbursed. The same offer remains available for the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang, which have already been collected by the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) last week.
9. Beyond the Bible issue, the Government wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with the Christian groups and all the different religious groups in order to address inter religious issues and work towards the fulfilment of all religious aspirations in accordance with the constitution, taking into account the other relevant laws of the country. In order to bring urgency to this work, the Prime Minister will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.
10. The Christian Ministers in the cabinet will meet on a regular basis with representatives of the various Christian groups in order to discuss their issues and work with the relevant Ministries and PM in order to resolve them.
Dato Sri Idris Jala said, "I hope this 10 point solution will be received positively by the Christian groups as being fair and reasonable. We have to look for a solution that deals with the Bible issues and also put a way forward to handle other issues raised by the Christian groups".
"I think the Bible issue is very unfortunate, and in the spirit of Lent, it is time for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness.
"In our history as a young nation, we achieved a lot in a short period of time, but we have our shortcomings.
"The Government and our civil servants are not perfect as indeed all human beings are "beautifully imperfect" in the eyes of God.
"And for all our shortcomings in handling the Bible issue, I hope the Christians would find it in their hearts to forgive us.
"In my Church at SIBKL, we have been praying for a Christian revival to take place in our country. For all the hurt that exist as a result of our differences, I believe that we need healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in this country.
"The Bible says in Matthew 18: 21-22 " Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times".
Source:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/2/nation/20110402183658&sec=nation
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COMMENTS
While it is the duty of all Christians in the country to forgive the MY Government for being oppressive, it must be understood that the first step of reconciliation is to apologize or seek for forgiveness from the Creator of the Universe that what had been done to the Holy Bible was wrong such as stamping with serial number without prior consent from the Christian groups. Even the context of Jesus Christ speaking "I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times" Matt 18:22 refers to prior acknowledgment of wrongs before the next step of forgiveness can apply.
The principle of forgiveness from Christians is the same for forgiveness of sins from Yahweh God.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahu'shua the Messiah his Son cleanseth us from all sin.1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
First of all, the MY Government have to apologize to the Christians communities i.e. to CONFESS and apologize that stamping without prior consent is wrong and arrogant without practicing the will of Yahweh God.
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets. RNKJV
Mat 7:12 All therefore that you will that men shall do unto you, so also do you unto them: for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Aramaic -Etheridge)
As men do not like to deface the holy books of another man's religion, so you must NOT deface the Holy Bible as well. That is what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 7:12. So the interpretation for Matthew 18:21-22 must concur with Matthew 7:12.
Mat 18:21 Then came Kepha to him, and said, My master, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Yahushua saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Although the 10-point proposal is seemingly good, Christians may want the permanent agreement to be "cast in stone" so that the issue may not recur and the "Allah" court cases should be ruled in favour of the Christians. In Aramaic, the word "Allaha" means supreme being or God is merely a Title and not the Personal Name of the Hebrew God. The personal sacred Name of God is Yahweh. It is the different context of the usage of word "Allaha" which creates some misunderstanding.
Deut 6:4
KJV: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
RNKJV: Hear, O Israel: YHWH is our Elohim, YHWH is one
Aramaic: Shema, Yisra'el: MarYah Elahana, MarYah echad.
Source: http://www.pshitta.org/english/books/deuteronomy.php
"Hear, O Israel: YHWH (name) is our Elohim (title), YHWH (name) is One."
So Elohim is a title of the Almighty called by His only sacred Name YHWH. There is a huge difference between "Elaha" or Alaha as a Title and YHWH as the only sacred Name.
Aramaic: Shema, Yisra'el: MarYah Elahana, MarYah echad.
The sacred Name of Elohim is only One i.e. YHWH.
Zec 14:9 "And YHWH shall be king over all the earth: in that Day shall there be one YHWH, and His Name One."
The Holy One of Israel is called by His only sacred Name "YHWH".
Isaiah 47:4 As for our redeemer, YHWH of hosts is His Hame, the Holy One of Israel.
Prophet Paul wrote:
1Cor 12:3 "... that no man can say that Yah'shua is Lord Yah'weh, but by the Holy Spirit."
Note: Aramaic MarYah means Lord (Mar) and Yah (Abbreviation for Yah'weh).
Yah'shua said: "I and My Father are One" John 10:30
What He meant was "Yah'shua and Yah'weh are One"; they are co-creator, co-eternal and co-equal.
Yah'shua declared that all things of His Father are co-owner of Him:
Yah'shua said "All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:15)
Apostle John testified that Yah'shua the Messiah is the true Elohim:
1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of YHWH is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Yahu'shua the Messiah; this is the true Elohim, and eternal life.
Yah'shua did not rebuke Apostle Thomas to call Him "My Lord and My God".
John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto Him (Yah'shua), "My MarYah and My Elohim".
As Aramaic MarYah means Mar (Master) and Yah (abbreviation for Yah'weh), Apostle Thomas called HIM (singular person) as "My Lord Yah'weh and My Elohim." And Yah'shua being a Jew would rebuke Thomas for blasphemy if he was wrong. But Yah'shua accepted his worship as Lord Yah'weh Elohim.
Yah'shua Messiah is Elohim over all:
Romans 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the Flesh the Messiah came, who is Elohim over all, blessed for ever.
The true God is known as Yah'weh or YHWH and He has one sacred Name YHWH neither Allah nor God.
Exo 3:15 And God said to Moses again, You shall say this to the sons of Israel, YAH'WEH (YHWH) the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My Title from generation to generation.
To lie to the Holy Spirit, is to lie to YHWH, not men! So the Holy Spirit is not a man but YHWH Elohim.
Acts 5:3 But Kepha said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit,
Acts 5:4 ... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto YHWH."
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one (echad) flesh.
Note: The Hebrew word "echad" means "perfectly united as One" such as a man and woman, and not indivisible One.
CONCLUSION:
The sacred Name of God is called Yahweh, not Allaha which is merely one of the many tiles for Yahweh God. Other titles include El, Elohim, Adonai, El Shaddai and so on.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing has denounced as “insidious” and “evil” the imposition of two sets of rules - one for Sabah and Sarawak and the other for Peninsular Malaysia - with regard to the dissemination of the Malay Bible, Al-Kitab.
Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Idris Jala, had announced yesterday a formula for the resolution of the controversy over the impoundment since January of thousands of copies of the Al-Kitab in ports at Kuching and Port Klang.
The formula allows for the dissemination in Sabah and Sarawak without conditions of the Al-Kitab, but for Peninsula Malaysia, copies of the Al-Kitab have to be stamped with the cross and have the words 'Christian Publication' on them.
Speaking to Malaysiakini in his capacity as the titular head of the Melaka-Johor diocese, Bishop Paul Tan (above), who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, said:
“If the policy is one for Sabah and Sarawak and another for Peninsula Malaysia, this is tantamount to using the insidious tactic of 'divide and rule.' I adamantly condemn and reject such means.”
The Christian Federation of Malaysia, the umbrella body for 90 percent of the denominational congregations in Malaysia, is to meet soon to discuss the government's latest offer for the resolution of the controversy.
Some Christian groups appear to be leaning in favor of the government's latest offer while others are loath to accept the differentiation of the rules between the Borneo states and the peninsula.
“There should be one policy for the whole Christian population in the azlan two parts of the country,” said Bishop Paul Tan.
“You can put 'Christian Publication' on each copy since this is what was agreed to in 2005 by the CFM with the Abdullah Badawi administration.
“But there should be no differentiation between the rules for Sabah and Sarawak and the rules for Peninsular Malaysia,” insisted Bishop Paul Tan.
Bishop Paul Tan, a past president of the CFM, noted that the latest announcement by Idris Jala made no mention of the term 'Allah', the legitimacy of which use is being contested in the courts.
He said any decision by Christian groups on the government's latest offer must take due note of this uncertainty.
“It is better to stick by a practice already agreed to in 2005 than opt for changes that carry the prospect of being rendered moot by a pending decision of the courts,” he said.
'Above all, there must be no differentiation between the rule for Sabah and Sarawak and the one for the peninsula,” he emphasized.COMMENTS:
I salute the outspoken Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing for taking the lead to denounce dual system for the Christians in the country 1MY. As there is only one Yahweh God, there must be only one rule for the Christians in the country. When there are 2 rules for East & West Malaysian Christians, then it is impartial and improper for 1Malaysia. It is just too obvious the dual sets of rules is a reflection of how the MY government is marginalizing the West Malaysian Christians when the population is small. Sarawak Christians have the powerful hold on the decision of the next State Government as about 50% of the population is concentrated in Sarawak.
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