The NUCC waded into the controversy on the JAIS raid on the the Bible Society of Malaysia which is basically a storage and book distribution centre and not a place of worship as some folks with not so nice agendas wanted to portray it:
After ‘Regrettable’ Jais Raid, NUCC Tells Putrajaya To Uphold 10-Point Deal
What is the 10-Point Deal really? Is it policy or Law? Very important to note because the JAIS raid on the BSM book distribution centre was based on Law namely section 9 of Selangor’s Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988. We are a nation ruled by Law kan?
Here is the letter PM Najib wrote which is now known as the 10 Point Solution/Deal (Source here):
PRIME MINISTERMALAYSIA11 April 2011JPM.PEMANDU,600-231112011 (2)
Bishop Ng Moon HingChairmanChristian Federation of Malaysia (CFM)As we are all aware, the impounding of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia has triggered concerns and tensions within the country which we have to address urgently to prevent these from escalating any further. Consequently, we have been in discussion with the Christian Federation of Malaysia and other Christian groups to resolve the Bahasa Malaysia/lndonesia Bible and also other religious issues. Taking into account the polarity of views of the different religious groups, including Christians and Muslims, the Government decided on a Ten Point Solution.On 2nd April 2011 the Government announced a Ten Point Solution to address the Bible issue and other related issues. I wish to confirm that this is a collective decision by the Cabinet.The Ten Point Solution is as follows:1. Bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.2. These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a new development which should be welcome by the Christian groups.3. Bibles in indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan¬Dusun and Lun Bawang can also be printed locally and imported.4. For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bibles in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/ Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.5. Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community, for Peninsula Malaysia, Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words “Christian Publication” and the cross sign printed on the front covers.6. In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their bibles and Christian materials on such travel.7. A directive on the Bible has been issued by the Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) of the Home Ministry to ensure proper implementation of this cabinet decision. Failure to comply will subject the officers to disciplinary action under the General Orders. A comprehensive briefing by top officials, including the Attorney General (AG), will be given to all relevant civil servants to ensure good understanding and proper implementation of the directive (See Attachment 1).8. For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, Gideon, the importer can collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge. We undertake to ensure the parties involved are reimbursed. The same offer remains available for the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Kiang, which have already been collected by the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) last week.9. Beyond the Bible issue, the Government wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with the Christian groups and all the different religious groups in order to address interreligious issues and work towards the fulfilment of all religious aspirations in accordance with the constitution, taking into account the other relevant laws of the country. In order to bring urgency to this work, in my capacity as the Prime Minister, I will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.10. The Christian Ministers in the cabinet will meet on a regular basis with representatives of the various Christian groups in order to discuss their issues and work with the relevant Ministries and myself in order to resolve them. As the leader of this country, I wish to reiterate the Government’s commitment in solving any religious issues in this country. There is a need to manage polarities that exist in our society to achieve peace and harmony. I believe the best way to achieve this is through respect, tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation.Yours sincerely,DATO’ SRI MOHD NAJIB(Prime Minister of Malaysia)
The 10 point solution does not include the kalimah ALLAH and I hope that the learned people at the NUCC be very clear about that, so is the fact that the the Bible Society of Malaysia Book Distribution Centre is NOT a place of worship and that JAIS is acting based on Law and the 10 point solution is a policy. Laws will always over rule policy!
Here is what PERKASA and Muslim NGOs say about NUCC comment on JAIS's raid on BSM:
Some Muslim groups have hit out at the National Unity Consultative Council for censuring the Selangor Islamic Religious Depatment (Jais) on its seizure of Bibles containing the word Allah from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) last week.
Speaking on behalf of a coalition of nine pro-Umno Muslim NGOs, Perkasa deputy president Datuk Zulkifli Noordin (pic) said the NUCC’s disapproval was a transgression of natural justice as Jais had acted according to the law.
He said the NUCC should have allowed Jais to explain its action.
He also said that the enforcement body did not seize Bibles per se, but had only seized publications which contravened section 9 of Selangor’s Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.
"It so happened that the publications were Bibles," Zulkifli said at a press conference today.
He added that the offence under the enactment came under civil law and was not under syariah jurisdiction, as such, it applied to non-Muslims as well.
Zulkifli also said that the contention by NUCC that the seizure went against the 10-point solution was wrong, as the 10-point solution did not cover the use of the word Allah.
"Nothing in the 10-point resolution says that Malay Bibles can contain the word Allah. It merely says that Bibles in Malay can be imported," he added.
When pointed out that the Home Ministry had given its stamp of approval for the imported Bibles, Zulkifli reiterated that it did not mean the Home Ministry had approved of the word Allah in the Bibles.
"The government allows the Bibles to be imported, but any imported material must comply with the laws in the country.
"And having the word Allah means the importer and the distributor are the ones who have not complied with the law.
"Jais is not wrong in its actions, although it is being made out to be so by the NUCC," he said.
He added that the perception that the unity council was controlled by certain groups of people was cause for concern.
He added that the offence under the enactment came under civil law and was not under syariah jurisdiction, as such, it applied to non-Muslims as well.
Zulkifli also said that the contention by NUCC that the seizure went against the 10-point solution was wrong, as the 10-point solution did not cover the use of the word Allah.
"Nothing in the 10-point resolution says that Malay Bibles can contain the word Allah. It merely says that Bibles in Malay can be imported," he added.
When pointed out that the Home Ministry had given its stamp of approval for the imported Bibles, Zulkifli reiterated that it did not mean the Home Ministry had approved of the word Allah in the Bibles.
"The government allows the Bibles to be imported, but any imported material must comply with the laws in the country.
"And having the word Allah means the importer and the distributor are the ones who have not complied with the law.
"Jais is not wrong in its actions, although it is being made out to be so by the NUCC," he said.
He added that the perception that the unity council was controlled by certain groups of people was cause for concern.
As such, he appealed to the NUCC to change its approach in dealing with inter-faith matters.
"To us, NUCC has failed to carry out their duties in a mature and professional manner in ensuring justice for all.
"Why is the issue not being looked at from the perspective of the Muslim community? Have we lost our right to defend our right to profess and practise our faith," he asked.
Perkasa information chief Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, meanwhile, said the NUCC should include ulama as members.
"What we have now is Ustazah Marina Mahathir in the council," he said.
Zulkifli noted that the 10-point solution was merely a policy while the Selangor enactment was law.
"It is basic legal knowledge that law is above policy.
"If you cannot learn to respect the law, then I don't know if you are fit to be in this country," he added.
Zulkifli also questioned the Selangor government's silence over the matter.
He warned all parties to behave in a rational manner to preserve harmony among the different religions in the country.
"Don't allow this to be destroyed by the desires of certain people who do not understand nor respect the sensitivity of others," he added. – January 7, 2014.
"To us, NUCC has failed to carry out their duties in a mature and professional manner in ensuring justice for all.
"Why is the issue not being looked at from the perspective of the Muslim community? Have we lost our right to defend our right to profess and practise our faith," he asked.
Perkasa information chief Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, meanwhile, said the NUCC should include ulama as members.
"What we have now is Ustazah Marina Mahathir in the council," he said.
Zulkifli noted that the 10-point solution was merely a policy while the Selangor enactment was law.
"It is basic legal knowledge that law is above policy.
"If you cannot learn to respect the law, then I don't know if you are fit to be in this country," he added.
Zulkifli also questioned the Selangor government's silence over the matter.
He warned all parties to behave in a rational manner to preserve harmony among the different religions in the country.
"Don't allow this to be destroyed by the desires of certain people who do not understand nor respect the sensitivity of others," he added. – January 7, 2014.
To be fair to the Selangor State Gomen, they belatedly responded but in fact supported JAIS's action:
The JAIS controversy showed that the NUCC membership needs to be reviewed, the majority Malay/Muslims are under represented and should in fact reflect the demographics of this country, if not how could it become a bridge between races and faiths if minority imposes their will and run roughshod over the majority thru the NUCC?
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