MAJLIS GEREJA-GEREJA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA

26 Jalan Universiti 46200 Petaling Jaya, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: 03-79567092/79608926/ 79551587 Fax: 03-79560353 E-Mail: [email protected]/[email protected]

“Behold I Make All Things New”

MEDIA STATEMENT ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE THE BM BIBLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY In response to the Government’s declaration that the use of the word “Allah” will not affect the use of Malay Bibles in and , the Council of Churches of Malaysia calls upon the government to reconsider its policy. We submit that the Federal Constitution does not make provision for a “ one country two policies” approach to dealing with freedom of religion. Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right to every citizen to practice their faith in freedom. So to speak of having an aspect of freedom of religion that be exercised in Sabah and Sarawak but not in mitigates against the notion of freedom of religion. As reading the Bible in the Bahasa translation is an intergral part of the practice and profession of the Christian faith, it would be unacceptable to us to suggest that this fundamental aspect is applicable to some members of our faith community, but not to others, due to language or geographical location. Furthermore, in our diverse and mobile Malaysia, Bumiputra Christians from Sarawak and Sabah live, study or work in Peninsular Malaysia. We worship together using various languages in our churches. It would not be right to deny Bahasa speaking congregations to worship in that language using the Malay Bible here in Peninsular Malaysia. So for this reason, the Council of Churches rejects the “two policy” approach and strongly reiterates that the free use of the Malay Bible and Christian literature should be allowed to all Bahasa speaking Christians throughout the country.

BISHOP DATUK BOLLY LAPOK REV. DR. HERMEN SHASTRI President ( Acting) General Secretary Date: 23rd October 2013

Member Churches: ·Anglican · Anglican Diocese of Sabah· Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia· Basel Christian Church of Malaysia· Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia· Lutheran Church in Malaysia & Singapore· Mar Thomas Syrian Church· The Methodist Church: Chinese Annual Conference· Sabah Provisional Annual Conference· Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference· Sarawak Iban Annual Conference· Tamil Annual Conference· Trinity Annual Conference· Orthodox Syrian Church· Presbyterian Church in Malaysia· Protestant Church in Sabah· The Salvation Army·

Associate Members: · Bible Society of Malaysia· The Boy’s Brigade in Malaysia· Girls’ Brigade Malaysia· Interserve Fellowship· Malaysian Care· Mobilization Fellowship Malaysia· National Council of YMCA’s· Seminari Theoloji Malaysia· Sabah Theological Seminary· YWCA· Prison Fellowship Malaysia . Open Doors Malaysia

Affiliate Member : Coptic Orthodox Church .