Launching the new Malay Bible Alkitab Versi Borneo (AVB) in Peninsular Malaysia
The new Malay Bible, known as Alkitab Bible Borneo (AVB), is a formal translation that took more than 15 years to complete. Started in 1998, the nucleus team of key translators had a single-minded focus – to produce a high-quality Bahasa Malaysia translation for modern readers.
Since the hardcopy circulation began in February 2016, AVB enjoyed a momentous reception. In West Malaysia, many readers who love the language read it with tears of joy. In East Malaysia, it was so right and automatic for readers to feel an euphoric sense of ownership, of a Borneo Bible in highly readable yet fluent Malay.
Qualified experts
The significance of AVB is also felt in other ways. People are proud that eminently-qualified linguists with fluency in classical and modern Malay helped define and distinguish the translation, while some of the best local Biblical translators poured in their focus, time and effort. The Greek/Hebrew scholars who served as consultants understood the Malay language. Language reviewers and checkers were unrelenting in their commitment.
Overwhelming support
Like never before, many national leaders came forward during the launch to openly declare support, and many spiritual leaders went on to acclaim the AVB as historically significant.
Alkitab Versi Borneo has the hallmarks of a good translation – accuracy, clarity, naturalness and acceptability. A new generation will enjoy God’s Word in Bahasa Malaysia.
Stephen Ng (writer and media consultant) was there to report on the 25th May launch:
It was historic. It was simply ecstatic!
Although I had heard about the translation work that was kickstarted more than 10 years ago from one of the key translators, it was in the backburner all these years, as I never get to hear about it anymore, until Datuk Kenny Ng mentioned about it recently again. Finally, the invitation came!
The moment the ceremony began, I could sense an awesome feeling welling deep within me. As the event unfolded, as if I was there, sitting in the midst of the Israelites, just as Ezra unscrolled the Torah to read for the first time since the exile, the launch of the AVB amidst heads of churches, pastors and church leaders in the audience, gave me an awesome feeling that the Word of God was for the first time given to Malaysians. East and West, we are one nation, and Bahasa Malaysia is the lingua franca of over 27 million Malaysians.
It is not that Malaysians do not already have the entire Bible in the local language that could be considered contemporary and theologically sound, but the unveiling of the AVB marked the dawning of a new era. As Rev Datuk Jerry Dusing said in his keynote address, he had felt a compelling need to have a version of the Bible in the local language that God’s people fluent in the national language can relate to, yet it has to be theologically sound. After the AVB, he hopes to see a dictionary of theological words in Bahasa Malaysia, as well as an interlinear Malay-Greek/Malay-Hebrew Bible, so that theological education in the people’s language could eventually blossom.
As if God was the one directing the entire process, Dusing’s burden brought him to a small team of Christians from Semenanjung who were already working on the translation. By then, the team had completed the whole of the New Testament, and a significant number of books from the Old Testament. The translation work, which went through many rounds of consultation with experts in the Old and New Testament, provided a good framework for what we hope to see in the future: sound theological education based on Bahasa Malaysia. In a way, it also fulfilled one of the objectives set by the Bible Society, and Bishop Ng Moon Hing was quick to say, “Translating the Bible in as many local languages and dialects was supposed to be our task, but it was already completed by a group of volunteers at no expense to the Bible Society!”
For this reason, a simple gesture of handing over the AVB to a younger generation of believers by the older leaders representing the Malaysian church was symbolic of King David passing on the baton to his son Solomon to build the temple of the Lord. It is hoped that the younger generation of believers will be able to build on the foundation that has been laid, and allow God’s word to be spread far and wide across the nation.
As a whole, all glory to God in the heavens, through whom all blessings flow. Certainly, with the ferocious reading of the AVB, the church of Jesus Christ will see a new wave of excitement in the years ahead. 
Note: AVB Android App is available in Google Play Store. Search for it with words like “BM Bibile, “AVB” or “Borneo Bible”
ENGLISH VERSION:
Alkitab Versi Borneo is historically significant as the first formal translation Bahasa Malaysia Bible. The online version is available on alkitabversiborneo.org , which also provide pioneering Bahasa Malaysia biblical resources based on the AVB text.
The President of the Trinity Annual Conference of the Methodist Church of Malaysia, Rev. T. Jeyakumar, says:
“I have been telling many folks that while many translations speak to the mind, the AVB speaks to my heart.”
The AVB is truly a ‘gift’ to our Bahasa Malaysia-speaking brethren. Read more on the miracle story of the The AVB Project in http://alkitabversiborneo.org/about-us/the-avb-project/.
*AVB is online: alkitabVersiBorneo.org
Regarding ALKITAB VERSI BORNEO* June 2016
I wonder if folks really read through the AVB, they would say that it is good Bahasa Malaysia – it is still a confused mixture of Indonesian and Malay; and it uses the senses of words that are in the dictionary but not used in everyday Malay.
I stumble as I read the AVB – the language unfortunately adds to the already confused BM of the Malay speaking Christian youths.
It also adds to the wrong idea that literal translations are better – it may be better for the theologically trained pastor, but not for the lay man.
However I must add that, as in any translations, there are parts that are very well translated, with beautiful language, that when compared with other versions, it would be considered better.
That said, I think BSM should have their consultants go through the whole Bible again before they put their weight behind an important translation such as this.
It is Ok, Brother Carey William. Thank you for your feedback.
The Lord would have taken care of the concerns; He sent actual BM language practitioners whose occupation revolved solely on the correct use of BM in govt and public.
Correct BM is our passion – It’s been more than 5 decades we are seeking to improve and to excel in it, whether in public office or in private practice. And a right group of native speakers in the Peninsular are here to help with the clarity and naturalness of AVB in their heart language.
The 1st translation of Luke was printed in 1998.
Since then, a wider fraternity of theological scholars do exist outside of BSM/UBS (they are not the regular consultants who depend on back-translation to do their job).
Worked through 8,000+ major Hebrew/Greek terms to enhance consistency, but linguistic style and context may override choice of words.
This is a mammoth project, survived through the spiritual oversight of national church leaders. As for national acceptance – see http://alkitabversiborneo.org/about-us/avb-accepted-nationwide/
We are familiar with BSM.
We couldn’t be more than thankful for national-level linguists who worked unseen and underground, and by the grace of God.
Yes, it is possible to start and complete a 15-year translation by counting on passion, burden, and the grace of a Sovereign God. Yes we are counting on the grace of God for academic excellence, quality and scholarship, even without the usual organisational affiliation and authority. We survived to witness AVB.
Pray for us, as we are still working on BM translation projects.
June 2016: Feedback from readers for: Alkitab Versi Borneo
Praise the Lord, with His guidance & everlasting love, the launching of AVG will bring glorious of God to our entire life with faith & love in our Lord Jesus Christ..Amen
Andy Sigar ~