Malaysian Catholic paper told: stop discussing 'Allah' issue
Malaysia, February 6, 2014: The Home Ministry has advised the Herald against “discussing”
the ‘Allah’ issue in line with a court ruling last year barring the Catholic weekly
from using the word.
The ministry’s Publication and Quranic Texts Control Division
secretary Hashimah Nik Jaafar confirmed that an advisory was sent to the Catholic
weekly last month, but added that it was simply a reminder that the paper should respect
the Court of Appeal ruling in October last year.
“The ministry has found that
the Herald has been discussing the ‘Allah’ issue in their articles. They have to respect
the court of appeal ruling.
“It is up to them, we are just advising,” she told
The Malay Mail Online when contacted.
Hashimah said that it was ultimately
up to the editors of the Herald to abide by the advisory, adding failure to do so
won’t result in any action.
The Catholic Church is appealing the Court of Appeal’s
landmark decision in October which overturned a lower court’s 2009 decision in its
favour.
Malaysia’s highest court, the Federal Court, will hear arguments on
March 5 before deciding if the Church is allowed to appeal. (Source: UCAN)