Home Minister Zahid Hamidi has ordered the release of Christian materials which used the word 'Allah' that were confiscated at KL International Airport (KLIA).

He also distanced his ministry from the seizure, stating that it was the Royal Malaysian Customs Department's action which comes under the Finance Ministry.

"Those materials were from Indonesia and were transiting KLIA to be brought to Sabah.

"As the materials are for use in Sabah, the Home Ministry is of the opinion that they should be returned," Zahid (left) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Christian materials which were seized from a Sabahan pastor on Tuesday include 574 religious books, 419 CDs and five DVDs.

Putrajaya has imposed a de facto ban on the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims to refer to God, for fear that it may “confuse” Muslims.

All states - except Penang, Sabah and Sarawak - also have state legislation which impose the prohibition on non-Muslims.

Catholic publication The Herald had challenged this ban in 2009 but the Federal Court in June upheld the prohibition.

An initial High Court ruling on Dec 31, 2009 which allowed The Herald to use the Arabic word, sparked a series of church bombings.

Despite the Federal Court ruling, Putrajaya has insisted that the ban does not apply to Sabah and Sarawak which have substantial Christian population.

Home Ministry appeals order on 'Allah' CDs