THE Penang Islamic Affairs Department, state Education Department and police are investigating the circulation of bibles in front of a secondary school in Bukit Mertajam.

Penang religious affairs exco Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the state administration has left it to the authorities to investigate the matter, which has since gone viral on social media.

“Islam remains the religion of the state in the Penang constitution. Any attempt to disrupt peace in our diverse community is inappropriate.

“There is no room for compromise in order to preserve harmony in Penang,” Zakiyuddin, who is also Penang deputy chief minister I, said in a statement today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa said Malays there had received copies of the circulated Bibles, Sinar Harian reported.

He said the police were taking statements from students and staff at the school, and that he was awaiting more information on the matter from the relevant authorities.

However, he reportedly said the church was not behind the circulation of the Bibles.

Mujahid also urged for the matter to be handled amicably.

Religion has long been a sensitive issue in multiracial and multireligious Malaysia, where Islam is the official religion. It is an offence to propagate other religions to Muslims. – November 7, 2018.