The MCA understands that religion is a sensitive issue and the party also appreciates that Islam is the official religion in Malaysia.
However every Malaysian has the right to protect and practise his religion freely as guaranteed and enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
In Sabah and Sarawak, the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the practise of Christianity has long been a common tradition.
The national language is commonly used for the learning of the religion. It is used in the study of the Bible, in sermons and also in prayers and is common in Sabah and Sarawak .
The MCA proposes that Bibles in the national language be allowed to be printed locally by approved printing houses sanctioned by the Home Ministry.
At present such Bibles are printed in Indonesia and the churches have to import them to Malaysia.
If Bibles in the national language are printed locally, then it can be allowed to be circulated to churches with proper supervision.
The MCA believes that if such a consensus can be achieved between the churches and authorities, it will lead to better understanding by all sides.
It will also lead to an amicable solution to the deadlock over the issue. It is better to solve the controversy now than to continue criticising to score political points.
The government must understand that more and more Bahasa Malaysia will be used in a greater manner especially among the young.
This is because Bahasa Malaysia is the medium of instruction in schools. With the emphasis of Bahasa Malaysia, it is not a surprise that the younger generation will become more proficient in the language than English.
Any restraint on the use of the Bible in the national language is tantamount to taking away the non-Muslim rights of freedom of practising one’s faith.
We can be sure that the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the learning and teaching of Christianity would not be abused with proper supervision by the churches themselves.
We must embrace such development in all graciousness, not with suspicion and in the spirit of 1Malaysia.
Many Christians in Sabah and Sarawak who worked in Peninsular Malaysia attend church services conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.
The fulfillment of religious needs should not be confined to selected languages. The MCA appeals to the government to meet Church groups and resolve the issue soon.
The issue should not be allowed to be turned into a political issue during the Sarawak elections.
Statement by MCA President Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek on the Bible issue
However every Malaysian has the right to protect and practise his religion freely as guaranteed and enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
In Sabah and Sarawak, the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the practise of Christianity has long been a common tradition.
The national language is commonly used for the learning of the religion. It is used in the study of the Bible, in sermons and also in prayers and is common in Sabah and Sarawak .
The MCA proposes that Bibles in the national language be allowed to be printed locally by approved printing houses sanctioned by the Home Ministry.
At present such Bibles are printed in Indonesia and the churches have to import them to Malaysia.
If Bibles in the national language are printed locally, then it can be allowed to be circulated to churches with proper supervision.
The MCA believes that if such a consensus can be achieved between the churches and authorities, it will lead to better understanding by all sides.
It will also lead to an amicable solution to the deadlock over the issue. It is better to solve the controversy now than to continue criticising to score political points.
This is because Bahasa Malaysia is the medium of instruction in schools. With the emphasis of Bahasa Malaysia, it is not a surprise that the younger generation will become more proficient in the language than English.
Any restraint on the use of the Bible in the national language is tantamount to taking away the non-Muslim rights of freedom of practising one’s faith.
We can be sure that the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the learning and teaching of Christianity would not be abused with proper supervision by the churches themselves.
We must embrace such development in all graciousness, not with suspicion and in the spirit of 1Malaysia.
Many Christians in Sabah and Sarawak who worked in Peninsular Malaysia attend church services conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.
The fulfillment of religious needs should not be confined to selected languages. The MCA appeals to the government to meet Church groups and resolve the issue soon.
The issue should not be allowed to be turned into a political issue during the Sarawak elections.
-MCA online-
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