Iban-Language Bible Banned

16 April 2003

Iban-speaking Christians in the state of Sarawak in north-west Borneo are asking the government to clarify why the Malaysian Home Ministry has put the Iban-language Bible, "Bup Kudus" on a list of 35 books banned for being detrimental to public peace. According to the official news agency of Malaysia, BERNAMA, the Association of Churches in Sarawak has asked for an explanation, saying, "To find Bup Kudus banned now has caused confusion, fear, anxiety and alarm among the Christian community in Sarawak."

Bup Kudus was first published in 1988 and is the only complete Bible in the Iban language. While more educated church members may understand English, rural churches in particular depend on the Scriptures in their native language.

Pray that there will be a positive response from the government and that the Word of God will be available to the Iban-speaking people.

Malaysia

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
Pray for Malaysia
Pray that Christians will stand firm in their faith, despite opposition

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

Pray that all Christians in Malaysia will be able to freely access the Bible.

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