Green light to import and print the Bible locally in all languages

PETALING JAYA: The Government has decided to allow the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia, to be imported into the country.

The Bible can also be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak and in indigenous languages such as Iban, Kadazandusun and Lun Bawang.


For Sabah and Sarawak, there will be no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bible in all languages, with no requirement for any stamp or serial number.

For Peninsular Malaysia, the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words “Christian Publication” and the cross sign printed on the front cover.

No restriction would be imposed on people who bring their Bibles and Christian materials on travels between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

These were part of a 10-point solution announced in a statement yesterday by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, who said the views of the various religious groups, including Muslims, had been considered.

For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, the importer The Gideons International could collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge, he said, adding that the same offer was applicable to the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang.PETALING JAYA: The Government has decided to allow the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia, to be imported into the country.

The Bible can also be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak and in indigenous languages such as Iban, Kadazandusun and Lun Bawang.

For Sabah and Sarawak, there will be no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bible in all languages, with no requirement for any stamp or serial number.

For Peninsular Malaysia, the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words “Christian Publication” and the cross sign printed on the front cover.

No restriction would be imposed on people who bring their Bibles and Christian materials on travels between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

These were part of a 10-point solution announced in a statement yesterday by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, who said the views of the various religious groups, including Muslims, had been considered.

For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, the importer The Gideons International could collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge, he said, adding that the same offer was applicable to the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang.