Why did the Cabinet refuse to intervene in the Selangor bible seizures?

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The Cabinet Declined Intervention in Selangor Bible Seizures Due to State Religious Authority

The Malaysian Cabinet has decided not to intervene in the controversial seizure of Malay and Iban language bibles in Selangor, asserting that such religious matters fall under the purview of individual states, not the federal government. This stance was communicated by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who stated that the federal government is not authorised to act in this specific case. The Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to the 10-point solution established to address the ongoing "Allah" issue.
State Laws Supersede Federal Guidelines

The seizure of over 300 Malay and Iban bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) on January 2 was conducted under a state enactment. Khairy Jamaluddin clarified that this state law cannot be overruled by the federal government's 2011 10-point solution. Consequently, the responsibility for handling the matter rests with the state authorities, as the 10-point solution does not have the power to supersede existing state legislation.
Federal Government Upholds 10-Point Solution

Despite its non-intervention in the seizure, the federal government remains committed to upholding the 10-point solution. This solution, introduced by the Najib administration prior to the 2011 Sarawak state election, permits the printing, import, and distribution of bibles in Malay and indigenous languages nationwide, with specific conditions for Peninsular Malaysia. The federal government views this as the appropriate framework for managing religious issues.
State Enforcement Actions Reignited the Issue

According to Khairy Jamaluddin, the recent escalation of the "Allah" issue was directly triggered by the actions of the state enforcement authority in Selangor. He indicated that the Selangor Mentri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, had acknowledged the 10-point solution as a viable way to resolve the impasse when he directed Jais to verify if the raid complied with federal guidelines. The federal government views the state's actions as the primary reason for the renewed tension surrounding the use of the word "Allah."

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Why did the Cabinet refuse to intervene in the Selangor bible seizures?

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