Insider journalist quizzed over Lawrence's statement
Published: Jan 3, 2014 1:17 PM | Updated: Jan 3, 2014 3:38 PM
Three police officers came to the news portal The Malaysian Insider's office today to record statements from journalist Eileen Ng and news editor V Vasudevan over the Catholic weekly The Herald editor Lawrence Andrew's statement that the word ‘Allah’ will continue to be used in Selangor Catholic churches.
Lawrence Andrew had said ‘Allah’ will still be used in Catholic churches.
Three police officers came to the news portal The Malaysian Insider's office today to record statements from journalist Eileen Ng and news editor V Vasudevan over Catholic weekly The Herald editor Lawrence Andrew's statement that the word ‘Allah’ will continue to be used in Selangor Catholic churches.
The portal reported that they came in this morning following the police reports lodged all over the Selangor state following Lawrence's remarks which was reported by the news portal.
Lawrence was quoted by the news portal as saying that the word ‘Allah’ will be used by churches in weekend services in Bahasa Malaysia, as Article 11(3) (A) of the federal constitution prescribes that every religious group has its right to manage its own religious affairs.
“Our religion cannot be managed by any Muslim group. It is against the federal constitution. We will continue to use the word ‘Allah’ in our masses,” the Herald editor was quoted to have said.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Selangor police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan had refuted several news reports yesterday that he specifically said that Lawrence will be called in by the police.
The Selangor police chief said he did not mention at all that the police are looking for Father Lawrence as what he mentioned was anyone related to the case will be called upon.
In an unrelated development, Mohd Shukri warned Selangor Umno not to follow through with its threat to protest in front of churches, as it violates the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).
“We will take stern action,” state police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan was quoted as saying in the English daily theSun today.
Section 4(1)(b) of the PAA prohibits assemblies within 50 metres of ‘prohibited places’, which includes places of worship. Offenders are liable to a fine up to RM10,000 upon conviction.
Mohd Shukri was responding to Selangor Umno’s threat to protest outside all churches on Sunday unless Lawrence apologises for his statement insisting to use ‘Allah’ as the Malay translation for the Christian God.
Utusan Malaysia quoted Selangor Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson Abdul Shukor Idrus saying that the statement defies the Sultan of Selangor’s decree prohibiting such use of the word ‘Allah’.
The group gave Lawrence until tomorrow to retract his statement.
The portal reported that they came in this morning following the police reports lodged all over the Selangor state following Lawrence's remarks which was reported by the news portal.
Lawrence was quoted by the news portal as saying that the word ‘Allah’ will be used by churches in weekend services in Bahasa Malaysia, as Article 11(3) (A) of the federal constitution prescribes that every religious group has its right to manage its own religious affairs.“Our religion cannot be managed by any Muslim group. It is against the federal constitution. We will continue to use the word ‘Allah’ in our masses,” the Herald editor was quoted to have said.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Selangor police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan had refuted several news reports yesterday that he specifically said that Lawrence will be called in by the police.
The Selangor police chief said he did not mention at all that the police are looking for Father Lawrence as what he mentioned was anyone related to the case will be called upon.
In an unrelated development, Mohd Shukri warned Selangor Umno not to follow through with its threat to protest in front of churches, as it violates the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).
“We will take stern action,” state police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan was quoted as saying in the English daily theSun today.
Section 4(1)(b) of the PAA prohibits assemblies within 50 metres of ‘prohibited places’, which includes places of worship. Offenders are liable to a fine up to RM10,000 upon conviction.
Mohd Shukri was responding to Selangor Umno’s threat to protest outside all churches on Sunday unless Lawrence apologises for his statement insisting to use ‘Allah’ as the Malay translation for the Christian God.
Utusan Malaysia quoted Selangor Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson Abdul Shukor Idrus saying that the statement defies the Sultan of Selangor’s decree prohibiting such use of the word ‘Allah’.
The group gave Lawrence until tomorrow to retract his statement.
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