New SOP on Al-Kitab violates freedom of religion

The government has been told to stop adding more restrictions on the distribution of the Malay language Bible or Al-Kitab, and to enforce the cabinet's 10-point solution.

Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) today lamented the increasing limitations on religious freedom in the country, citing the recent cross protest in Selangor and the controversies surrounding the Al-Kitab.

"Worse, it is now proposed that the import of the Al-Kitab be subject to newly-announced administrative requirements and procedures in Sabah and Sarawak, albeit in draft form for discussion.

"The latest edition of these administrative requirements contain outright prohibitions on the import of the Al-Kitab into Peninsular Malaysia, save for personal use, in total violation of the Federal Constitution’s protection for freedom of religion," CFM chairperson Reverend Eu Hong Seng said in a statement.

Eu said the new standard operating procedures (SOP) on the Al-Kitab "negates the very guarantee of freedom of religion and the right to manage one’s own religious affairs" and therefore, CFM "rejects" the SOP.