THE ban on Bup Kudus (the Iban translation of the Bible) has been revoked, the furore has calmed down but the jittery feelings may need some time to ease off. The ban lasted barely three weeks, but the brief spell was enough to rock, not only the Christian community, but also other religious communities in the country.

During the ban, many voiced their concern that the episode was another sign of the government’s intolerance towards religions other than Islam. Even the Bar Council joined in the chorus of protests, calling the government’s move an infringement on the right to freedom of religion, and an impediment to nation-building efforts.

But in all fairness to the government, the ban was most probably the work of some overzealous officers in the Home Ministry who had arbitrarily imposed it without following the proper guidelines and consultation with the relevant religious groups. Word has it that the top-rank leadership did not even know that Bup Kudus was a Bible.

Generally, the government has good policies that encourage multi-pluralistic harmony, but often the implementation of the policies is flawed by the religious bias of some civil servants.

Nevertheless, we must continue to pursue – in a calm, sensible manner – what is good and godly, while maintaining our convictions and practices.

Bup Kudus was banned along with 34 other books on April 8 for being "detrimental to public peace".

However, the suspicion is that the Iban Bible was banned for containing the term "Allah Taala", which is similar to "Allah", the word used by Muslims for God the Almighty. For some time now, there have been difficulties over some words used in Islam that are also used in Christian publications. Some Muslim leaders are concerned that this may confuse Muslims who picked up Christian books. But, to quote from the Berita NECF April/May 1991 editorial: "It is increasingly acknowledged internationally that words and language are not the private domain or monopoly of a particular ethnic or religious group, even though the words and language may have originated from them."

Language, as a means of communication, is universal property. Furthermore, this Arabic word (Allah) pre-dates Islam; before Islam existed, Arab Christians were already using "Allah" in reference to God – despite the considerable differences in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic conceptions of God.

The Ibans have been calling God "Allah Taala" for the last 150 years since the first missionaries arrived in Sarawak. The Iban Bible was first released in 1988 and has been used freely for the last 15 years within the Iban Christian community. Many were thus nonplussed by the government’s action. The matter was made worse by the government’s silence when asked for the reasons for the ban.

In a multi-plural and multi-religious society, it is important for the government to go through a process of ‘natural justice’ when deliberating on racially or religiously sensitive matters.

Even before making any decision, the government should first consult the organisations or groups concerned to get their input. Ample warning and opportunities for response should also be given to the parties concerned after a decision has been made.

Nonetheless, we are grateful to the then acting Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his willingness to meet with leaders from the Christian Federation of Malaysia and the Iban community, just two weeks after the ban was imposed. Dato Badawi expressed concern and understanding during the meeting, and several days later, announced the revocation.

He said since the word "Allah Taala" had been long used by the Iban community, he saw no reason for the ban and "caused anger among the community".

By his quick action, Dato Badawi has proven his sincerity and resolve as a considerate and firm leader.