Malaysia gained its independence in 1957. Although its constitution guarantees the freedom of expression, this right is not always upheld by the government. Religion in Malaysia is largely connected to ethnicity. Ethnic Malay and other indigenous people are generally Muslim, while ethnic Indian and Chinese people are typically Buddhist, Hindu, or Christian. The government considers Islam, the state religion, to be an essential part of the ethnic Malay identity. As such, all ethnic Malays are legally considered Muslims. Non-Malays are free to convert to Islam, but it is illegal in some states for a Muslim to convert to another religion. Muslims that do convert are sometimes fined or imprisoned. Non-Muslim worship sites and cemeteries can only be established with permission from the government. Sometimes religious minorities face long delays in obtaining approval for these sites. House churches are also strongly discouraged.

Christian literature is restricted in Malaysia. As of 2005, Malay-language Bibles are required to have the words “Not for Muslims” on the cover and are not permitted to be used in Malay homes. Further, these Bibles are only allowed to be distributed in Christian churches or bookstores. In late January 2008, a customs officer confiscated two boxes containing 32 Bibles from a Christian woman in the Kuala Lumpur airport as she was returning from the Philippines, even though she had a letter from her parish priest stating that the Bibles were for use in her church. The Bibles were later returned to the woman.

• 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.
• Pray that Christians will stand firm in their faith, despite the opposition.

A seized Bible is stamped with the inscription “For Christians Only.”

Two shipments totaling approximately 30,000 Bibles detained by Malaysian port authorities in January  were recently released. Authorities seized the Bibles, which had been imported from Indonesia for distribution in schools, churches and longhouses, because they claimed they could cause a conflict with an ongoing court case involving use of the word "Allah" in a Catholic newspaper. Most Christians, however, believe the government is worried that the Bibles will be distributed to Muslim Malays, and see the seizure as part of a systematic plan to deny access to the Bible in Malay. Authorities had taken similar action in March 2009, when they detained 5,100 copies of the Good News Bible in Malay in Port Klang.

The government's decision to release this recent shipment came with the condition that the books are stamped with a serial number and the inscription "For Christians Only" on the cover. Malaysian Christian leaders have refused these terms, fearing the government would use the serial numbers to track the Bibles and penalize those who accepted them. At last report, the Malaysian Bible Society has rejected the restrictions placed on the Bibles and is refusing to collect them.

Praise God for the release of these Bibles. Pray Christians in Malaysia will remain faithful in spite of opposition from those in authority. Pray they will know that they are not alone, but part of the Body of Christ. Pray these Bibles will somehow get into the hands of those who long for the life and truth found through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).