Ban on Iban-Language Bible Lifted

A ban which called the Iban-language Bible a "detriment to public peace" has been lifted by the acting prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The ban was lifted because of an appeal from church leaders who explained that the Bible had been in use in Sarawak for 15 years. In lifting the ban, the prime minister reiterated that the ministry would ban books and magazines which are "disseminating extremist views and teachings on any religion."

Original Persecution and Prayer Alert story published April 16, 2003:
(News report April 25, 2003 - Bernama News Agency)

  • Country Information

    Population
    34,219,975 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Bumiputera (63.8 - Malays and indigenous peoples), Chinese (20.6), Indian (6), others (0.6), non-citizens (9)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (63.5), Buddhist (18.7), Christian (9.1), Hindu (6.1), Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions (0.9), Other (1.8),

    Leader
    King Sultan Ibrahim ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar (2024)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the federation

    Source: CIA World Factbook

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    Pray that Malaysian Christians will be free to practice their faith in Jesus Christ.

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Malaysia News

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Malaysia: Where is Pastor Raymond Koh?
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