Al Kitab row: Compromise and move on, says Maximus

Kow Gah Chie

A Christian cabinet member has urged the Christian community to "give and take" over the Home Ministry's decision to place the ministry stamp and serial number of the Al Kitab.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Johnity Ongkili said that not everyone considers the Home Ministry move a form of “defacement” as claimed by the Christian Federation of Malaysia.

“I do not want to say if it is a defacement. This is a government decision and we must accept it.

"The best way is to meet half way and talk to resolve the issue. Sometimes, its a question of give and take,” said Maximus.

He was speaking to reporters in Putrajaya after chairing a meeting with his ministry officials to brief them about the decisions made by the cabinet today.

Maximus said that the content of the Bible was more important than its appearance, adding that he had once owned a copy of the holy book which didn't even have a cover.

Stressing that he was speaking as a minister from Sabah, Maximus said that he accepted the Home Ministry decision but is aware that not every Christian group is in consensus over the issue.

'Seek meeting with minister'

Maximus advised groups those who are not happy with the Home Ministry's decision to immediately seek a dialogue with the home minister to find the middle ground.

This was because opinions on the matter among churches were mixed and the best method would be for all parties to discuss the matter privately.

“They should sit down with Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and work out the details and arrangements. The less spoken in public the better,” he said.

After heavy protests from Christian groups, the Home Ministry decided to release 30,000 impounded copies of the Al Kitab, which is the Malay Bible printed in Indonesia.

The holy books were released on condition that a serial number and stamp which reads “For Christians Only” would be affixed.

This has sparked widespread condemnation from Christian groups who consider it “defacement” while the Home Ministry is arguing that this is a standard practice.