The Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop will seek a clarification from the Attorney-General's Chambers on the decision by the home minister to allow the use of the word 'Allah' in Christian publications.

This is in light of the order signed by Minister Syed Hamid Albar which carried the title 'Internal Security (Prohibition On Use of Specific Words on Document and Publication) Order 2009'. The order allows Christians to use the term 'Allah' but only in print.

'The printing, publishing, sale, issue, circulation and possession of any document and publication relating to Christianity containing the words 'Allah', 'Kaabah', 'Baitullah' and 'Solat' are prohibited unless on the front cover of the document and publication are written the words 'For Christianity’,” read the order.

herald court case 050508The decision by the minister comes after a year following the Home Ministry's decision to prohibit the use of the word 'Allah' in Christian publications.

Counsel Porres Royan, who is representing the archbishop, informed High Court Judge (Appellate and Special Powers division) Lau Bee Lan over the latest development.

"Our application was made under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. We have to study the order made by the minister on whether it can be repealed or revoked and its further implications.

"We will deliberate our discussion with the AG's Chambers and if we find comfort, this matter may not have to be heard," the senior counsel told the court.

Senior Federal Counsel Nizam Zakaria said she was informed that the minister as the first respondent had made an order dated Jan 21, 2009, which was gazetted on Feb 16, allowing Christians to use the word 'Allah' in Christian publications.

"I believe that the applicants' application in the matter would be academic," she said.

Judicial review application

The archbishop named the minister and government as respondents in the March 19, 2008 judicial review application, where it sought the following declarations:

  • The decision by the respondents dated Feb 12, 2008, that the permit gained by the applicant's publication permit from Jan 1, 2008 till Dec 31, 2008, was subject to the "guides of publication" dated March 1, 2007, which prohibits the applicant from using the word 'Allah' - in the weekly publication, Herald - The Catholic Weekly is illegal, null and void.

  • The applicant is entitled to use the word 'Allah' in the Herald; and

  • that the word 'Allah' is not exclusive to the religion of Islam.

herald judicial review kl court 250408 archbishop murphy pakiam father lawrence andrewThe application, supported by an affidavit by Archbishop Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam (left in photo), also seeks costs of the action.

Meanwhile, the court fixed May 28 to hear the application from seven state Islamic councils and the Malaysian Chinese Muslims Association and also the Gurdwara council to set aside their application as interveners in the judicial review.

The state Islamic councils in question were Terengganu, Federal Territory, Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Johor and Malacca.

Lau also fixed July 7 to hear the application to possibly refer the case to the Federal Court.