KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia's government will allow Malay-language Bibles to be printed locally, in a major concession to Christians to soothe anger over seized shipments of their holy book.

The government's offer comes ahead of April 16 elections in Sarawak state on Borneo island, where Christians account for more than 40 percent of the population.

Customs authorities have held tens of thousands of Malay-language Bibles amid a government ban on the use of the word "Allah" as a translation for God.

The government said late Saturday that it will allow Bibles in all languages, including Malay, to be printed locally. The move extends an olive branch to Christians, who previously had to import Malay-language Bibles from Indonesia. (AP)