Ashes of Quran, religious books disposed of at sea
BINTULU: About 2.8 tonnes of the Quran and other religious books, which had been burnt for disposal, were lowered into the South China Sea, about 15 nautical miles off Bintulu Port, yesterday.
The exercise was carried out by Sarawak Mufti Datu Kipli Yasin, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak Region chief First Admiral Ismaili Bujang Pit and MMEA Bintulu director Capt Aminuddin Abdul Rashid.
The ashes, weighing 675.7kg and were placed separately in biodegradable papers, were transported on board the ‘ KM Tabah’ – a vessel belonging to MMEA Bintulu – to a location about one-and-half-hour boat-ride away from the port.
At a press conference later, Ismaili said as decided by the National Fatwa Council, the Quran contains the exact words of Allah, and the printed text itself must be treated with a great deal of respect.
“For the first time today (yesterday), we have carried out this (disposal) method using a controlled item with biodegradable papers, which is environmental friendly, compared to plastic bags which were used in other states in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
More than 50 personnel from relevant agencies were involved in exercise yesterday.
“MMEA will continue to help in similar initiatives in Kuching and also in other places across the state,” said Ismaili.
He said the Quran and other religious books were incinerated in a special furnace at Masjid Assyakirin in a respectful manner before the ashes were disposed of at sea.
“God-willing, we will strive to provide a machine for the same purpose at other places,” added Ismaili.
The centre was set up by Bintulu Islamic Welfare Trustees Board in 2015 in collaboration with Bintulu Islamic Religious Department.
Adding on, state Islamic Affairs Department ( Missionary Division) Quran Unit head Abdul Rahim Rashid said the initiative yesterday was the first of its kind conducted in Sarawak and Sabah.
Meanwhile, Ismaili did not deny about the presence of China Coast Guard vessel at Beting Patinggi Ali ( Luconia Shoals), as reported by local fishermen.
“This matter is being pursued by the leadership at federal level. MMEA’s action is in accordance with the current policy and regulation so as to not cause any controversy in order to maintain good international relations,” he said, assuring all that the MMEA would continue to show their presence in the area from time to time with their available assets, including air assets.