Press Statement By The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur

HERALD — THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY

We have examined the various reports as they appeared in the diverse print and digital media and particularly in the Utusan Malaysia of recent week on the use of the word “Allah” in the HERALD — the Catholic Weekly.

Since the legal action filed by us in the Kuala Lumpur High Court has yet to be decided, we will not make any comment and will await the decision of the High Court which will be made at the appropriate time.

Most Rev Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam
Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur

PRESS STATEMENT

STOP THE DISCUSSIONS ON HERALD CASE!

Recently there has been a spate of reports and discussions reported in the media with respect to the Herald Case.

As recent as 17 February 2009 TV-1 (RTM-1) aired a program entitled ISU@1 where a panel consisting of a “selective group” discussed the issue concerning the use of the term “Allah” with reference to the Herald Case.

The views of the panellists in the program were biased. The views expressed in the program are attempts to interfere with the proceedings in the Herald Case even before the Kuala Lumpur High Court could adjudicate on the matter.

The Catholic Lawyers’ Society, Kuala Lumpur expresses great concern over the continued discussions on the Herald Case when the matter is still pending before the Court.

All parties must show restraint in their discussions related to the Herald Case as the matter is sub judice. There must be greater respect advocated to the judiciary and the laws of our country.

TV 1 (RTM-1) in airing the program ISU@1 on 17 February 2009 and the recent media reporting opinion(s) of third parties has caused anxiety amongst the public and should refrain from airing such further or similar programs and/or publications until the Kuala Lumpur High Court has finally disposed of the matter.

Dated: 20th February 2009

Mabel Sabastian
President
CATHOLIC LAWYERS’ SOCIETY
KUALA LUMPUR

AFTER THE PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CATHOLIC LAWYERS' SOCIETY

Istilah Allah: Majlis gereja bantah KDN kenakan syarat baru

Feb 27, 2009

source : malaysiakini.com

Majlis Gereja Malaysia (CCM) membantah syarat tambahan yang dikenakan Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) sewaktu membenarkan penggunaan Allah dalam sebarang penerbitan agama tersebut.

"Syarat ini tidak adil dan satu bentuk larangan yang tidak perlu dalam pengamalan agama Kristian di negara ini," kata setiausaha agung majlis tersebut, Dr Hermen Shastri hari ini.

"Memperkenalkan syarat-syarat itu sebagai prasyarat untuk menggunakan perkataan-perkataan tersebut (seperti Allah, Kaabah, Baitullah dan solat) masih satu bentuk penghadan terhadap kebebasan beragama seperti tlah dijamin pada Perkara 11 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

"Keadaan ini tidak boleh diterima."

Beliau mengulas langkah terbaru kementerian itu yang mengenakan syarat label "Untuk Penganut Kristian Sahaja" di semua penerbitan yang menggunakan nama Allah.

Label tersebut - bersaiz 16 jenis fon Arial berhuruf tebal - hendaklah dipaparkan di muka depan penerbitan Kristian seperti arahan KDN menurut Seksyen 22(1)(c) Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA).

Arahan yang dikeluarkan 21 Januari lalu itu berkuatkuasa mulai 16 Februari, kata Dr Hermen lagi.

KDN sejak penghujung 2007 mengharamkan penggunaan istilah Allah dalam mingguan Katolik, The Herald sehingga memaksa penerbitan itu menyeret kontroversi tersebut ke mahkamah.

Kes saman akhbar tersebut terhadap kerajaan akan disebut hari ini.

Dalam kenyataannya hari ini, CCM juga mempertikaikan tindakan KDN yang hanya melarang penganut Kristian, walhal penganut agama Sikh juga turut menggunakan perkataan Allah dalam kitab-kitab sucinya.

Dr Hermen juga menyatakan rasa kesal apabila kerajaan tidak mengajak majlis itu mengadakan perbincangan sebelum memperkenalkan arahan terbaru itu.

CCM bagaimanapun berterimakasih kepada KDN kerana telah membenarkan perkataan Allah digunapakai untuk penerbitan selain Islam.

N/B : The Herald case was heard in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on 27.2.2009. The Court has fixed 28.5.2009 to hear the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop's application to re-call the the Order dated 21.11.2008 to strike-out the Interveners from the suit.