MAJLIS GEREJA-GEREJA MALAYSIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA 26 Jalan Universiti 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: 03-79567092/79608926/ 79551587 Fax: 03-79560353 E-Mail: [email protected]/[email protected] “Behold I Make All Things New” OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA Dear Friends, Greetings and peace to you in Jesus Christ! I wish to officially inform you that at the meeting of the Board of Management of our Council which met on 22nd October 2013, the formal decision was made that Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok, fourth Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of the Province of South East Asia , will be the Acting President of the CCM for the Triennium period 2013-2015. He takes over from Bishop Philip Lok of the Lutheran Church of Malaysia, who had to vacate his position, as he completed his episcopal term in his church. Archbishop Bolly Lapok is the Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching and belongs to the indigenous community of the Ibans. CCM welcomes him warmly to his new position while at the same time wishes the immediate past President, Bishop Emeritus Philip Lok, God’s blessings and guidance in his future endeavors. Archbishop takes on the leadership of the national ecumenical organization at a time when the churches in Malaysia are undergoing trying times in regard to a recent Apex court decision (Oct. 14) that forbids Christians from using the term “Allah” in their publications. Archbishop Bolly had made it publically known that his indigenous community have used the term “Allah Taala” for centuries and therefore views the Appeal Court decision as an affront to religious freedom guaranteed in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia in Article 11. May God grant him grace and wisdom as he takes on his new responsibility in the national ecumenical council. Yours faithfully, REV. DR. HERMEN SHASTRI General Secretary Member Churches: ·Anglican Diocese of Kuching · 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 . .