Selangor wants JAIS to get advice from EXCO, legal advisors on BSM issue

The Selangor government has welcomed the statement made by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who has decided there is no case against the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) and no prosecution will be made.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim in a statement said the state government was also advised by Selangor state legal advisor to take the necessary measures in accordance with the legislation in handling the exhibits that was seized by Jais from BSM.

"The State Government has asked the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Islamic Affairs, Modernization of Agriculture and Rural Developmen, YB Salehen Mukhyi and Legal Counsel of Selangor, Datuk Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman to help JAIS return all of the items.

"Salehen Mukhyi and JAIS have also been asked to have further discussions with all parties involved, especially the BSM to resolve any disagreements amicably,” said Khalid.

On Wednesday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers has decided no prosecution will be made relating to the Bible seizure case by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) last January and that the case is closed.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said JAIS was directed to take further action in accordance with the law regarding the seized Bibles.

He said the AG’s Chambers had examined the facts and evidence in the investigation papers on the seized books and concluded that they were not the writings that were published under Section 9 (1) (a) of the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.