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Sarawak marks Jubilee Year with launch of two new Bahasa Malaysia Bible editions

Two new Bible editions in Bahasa Malaysia, the Alkitab Kudus Malaysia and the Alkitab Berita Baik Edisi Studi, were launched in Sarawak, a region on the island of Malaysian Borneo, during the Jubilee year. 

The publication, a collaboration between the Malaysian Bible Society and the Association of Churches in Sarawak, was unveiled on January 21 in Kuching as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

In a report by Vatican’s Fides News Agency, Reverend Datuk Danald Jute, Secretary General of the Association of Churches in Sarawak, underscored the importance of the translations. 



“The beauty of Bible translations is that they remind everyone that God speaks and understands all languages,” he said. 

“In this way, Bahasa Malaysia becomes not only our local language but also a sacred language through which God speaks to us. Christians can use these Bibles as a tool to draw closer to God and share his message,” he added.

The Alkitab Kudus Malaysia, a formal equivalence translation, adheres closely to the original biblical texts and was developed to meet the demand for a version suitable for academic research and in-depth study. 

Initiated in 2011, the project took 13 years to complete, accelerated by advancements in technology and software. 

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“The project required meticulous linguistic, theological, and cultural considerations to create what is now considered a fully Malaysian Bible,” said the Malaysian Bible Society. 

“This Bible is not just a translation, it is a gift to the Malaysian Church. It allows a deeper and more accurate engagement with the Holy Scriptures for study, prayer, and worship,” added Rev. Mathew K. Punnoose, Secretary General of the Bible Society.

In contrast, the Alkitab Berita Baik Edisi Studi uses a dynamic equivalence translation approach, offering commentaries, references, and explanations to make the Scriptures accessible to all readers. 

“This Bible fills a gap by offering the Word of God in an understandable way and giving everyone the tools to understand it even better,” explained the publishers.

Reverend Jute highlighted the dedication of translators and researchers, noting that “understanding the language, culture, and theology is crucial to ensure that the Word of God is accurately represented.” 

He described the translations as “a cornerstone to strengthen the faith of Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christians and prepare them to live and share the Gospel.”

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