SHAH ALAM, 3 Jan: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) volunteers to mediate to bring together all parties involved in the Bible seizing case by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) so that the issue can be resolved soon.
The Information Chief, Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty, said that PKR expressed concern about the conflict that happened and is confident that misunderstanding, prejudice between the adherents of Islam and Christianity lately, can be solved in a practical, and harmonious manner.
“PKR is confident that a wise approach in dealing with religious issues is the best way to avoid tension between Muslims and Christians in the country to continue.
“Indeed, the tensions of religious beliefs are contrary to the core religious principles of religion, the Constitution of Malaysia as well as the concept of democracy,” he said in a press statement today.
In relation to that, Dr Muhammad hopes that dialogues and negotiations which will be held soon will bring awareness and understanding about the importance of the practice of dialogue between the people of Malaysia, who are of different races and religions.
The former Chairman PKR’s Religious Understanding and Enhancement Bureau also said that the meeting would be an appropriate field which in interactive and opinions will be gathered objectively about the real anxiety and concerns of people from different religions to find the best solution for all parties.
Yesterday, JAIS raided the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) in Damansara and seized 300 Bibles in Malay and Iban languages.
JAIS also arrested two of its officers, the Chairman of BSM, Lee Min Choon, and the Secretary General, Simon Wong, and were taken to the Damansara Utama Police Station.
At the same time, Dr Muhammad said that conflict and tension that plague the country today clearly show that communication and understanding between Malaysians – on religion and ethnicity – remained at worrying levels, and requires an immediate solution .
“In order to find solutions to the problems that occur, PKR always advocates an interactive culture to create a conducive climate for the betterment of the people and the stability of the country,” he said.
