KDN seized 1,907 unapproved copies of Quran in Penang
MOHD ISKANDAR OTHMAN01 Feb 2023 04:47pm
Nik Yusaimi (seven from right) with KDN Penang officers showing the seized al-Quran from a flat in Taman Alma, on early January.
The raid code-named Ops Mulia was carried out at a flat located in Taman Alma, Bukit Mertajam, which was rented solely to hide the thousands of copies of the al-Quran, said division secretary Nik Yusaimi Yusof.
"It is believed that the seized copies and materials of the Quran were brought in from Indonesia to be sold online and distributed nationwide.
"The investigation also found the flat was rented since last year, and their main income comes from selling and distributing these unapproved al-Quran.
"A man in his 40s, believed to be the premise attendant, was arrested to assist in the investigation, and several other individuals involved are still being searched for," he said in a press conference at the Penang KDN office here on Wednesday.
Nik Yusaimi said it is feared that the seized al-Quran contains incorrect content in terms of verses and lines and may cause Muslims to misread and misunderstand the actual message.
"The content of the confiscated al-Quran manuscript was also spelled in Rumi writing. The National Fatwa Council has previously banned any spelling of the holy verses of the Quran in Rumi.
"With our collaboration with the Islamic Development Malaysia Department (JAKIM), we also found that the confiscated al-Quran violates the Uthmani customs set by the government," he said.
Commenting on Ops Mulia's operation in Penang and Selangor earlier this year, Nik Yusaimi said that the total confiscation amount stood at RM160,000, involving Quranic copies and materials that violated the Printing of Qur'anic Text Act (APTQ) 1986 and the Printing Presses and Publication Act (AMCP) 1984.
He explained that Ops Mulia was conducted to track down sales and distribution of the Quran and its materials in various forms that violate the Printing of Qur'anic Text Act (APTQ) 1986.
"There are 912 types of al-Quran publications approved by KDN as options to sell, buy, or distribute among the community.
"We urged the public to choose an al-Quran copy with KDN's approval, which can be examined from the KDN's certificate and hologram on the Quran," he said.
