1. Straits Times Online (http://www.straitstimes.com)
Catholic paper defies Malaysian government ban on 'Allah' , 20 January 2009
The government last month ordered a ban on the Herald's Malay edition until the court makes its decision, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue printing its editions in English, Chinese and Tamil.
KUALA LUMPUR - A CATHOLIC newspaper in Malaysia has defied a ban on using the word 'Allah' as a translation for 'God', in a row with the government which has threatened to close the weekly publication.
The editor of the Herald newspaper, Father Lawrence Andrew, said this week's edition uses the banned word and that he intends to continue doing so until the courts rule on the issue next month.
'We find this restriction on the use of 'Allah' unacceptable when we have been using it as a translation for 'God' for centuries in Malaysia,' he told AFP.
Authorities have said the word should only be used by Muslims.
The government last month ordered a ban on the Herald's Malay edition until the court makes its decision, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue printing its editions in English, Chinese and Tamil.
But after the newspaper warned it would take legal action to overturn the ban, the home ministry backed down and said it could continue publishing as long as it did not use the disputed translation.
‘Munshi Abdullah, the father of modern Malay literature, translated the Bible into Malay in 1852 and he also translated 'God' as 'Allah' so there is strong historical proof of what we have been using for centuries,' said Father Andrew.
The Herald, circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the disputed word.
Religion and language are sensitive issues in Malaysia where 60 per cent of the nation's 27 million people are Muslim Malays.
The rest of the population takes in indigenous tribes as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, variously practising Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism among others.
Minority groups complain of increasing 'Islamisation' of the country and say their rights are being eroded.（AFP）
2. New Straits Times (http://www.nst.com.my)
Home Ministry mulling legal action against Herald, 21 January 2009
by Hamidah Atan（PUTRAJAYA）
The Home Ministry may take legal action against the Catholic weekly, The Herald, over its continued use of the word "Allah" in this week's edition.
Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar warned the show of defiance could cause conflict and anger among other races in the country.
"We should abide by the law and the government's decision. The decision to ban the use of the word Allah in its publication does not come from the ministry but the Cabinet.
"If anything happens, then don't put the blame on us. I will refer this matter to our legal unit," he said.
The weekly’s editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, was quoted by AFP as saying on Tuesday that he intended to continue doing so until the court rules on the issue next month.
"We find this restriction on the use of Allah unacceptable when we have been using it as a translation for God for centuries in Malaysia," he was further quoted.
The government last month ordered a ban on the Herald's Malay edition until the court makes its decision, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue printing its editions in English, Chinese and Tamil.
Andrew had also said Munshi Abdullah, the father of modern Malay literature, translated the Bible into Malay in 1852 and he also translated God as Allah."So, there is strong historical proof of what it has been using for centuries."
Syed Hamid said all publications must abide by the law. "Even if it (The Herald) does not want to, it should wait for the court to decide.
"To me, it seems that it purposely wants to create a collision or a conflict. It should remember the rights of other races, too. We respect other religions and cultures and we expect it to do the same thing."
Syed Hamid added that if the government decided to ban the weekly later, then it should not be blamed. "I just hope it will follow the law and government's instruction."
Sensitive religious issues must be avoided at all costs, he said.
3．Berita Harian Online (http://www.bharian.com.my)
Herald Catholic masih guna perkataan Allah: Syed Hamid, 21 Januari 2009
PUTRAJAYA: Kementerian Dalam Negeri menyerahkan kepada Pejabat Peguam Negara bagi membolehkan pendakwaan dilakukan terhadap akhbar mingguan Herald Catholic yang masih menggunakan perkataan Allah.
Menterinya, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar berkata, Peguam Negara akan menentukan sama ada cukup bukti sebelum pendakwaan bolah dilakukan.
Beliau berkata demikian selepas menghadiri perhimpunan bulanan KDN di sini, pagi ini.
Syed Hamid juga mengesahkan setakat ini tiada tangkapan terhadap suspek yang menghina Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
4. Malaysiakini.com（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
Ministry to probe Herald's use of 'Allah' despite ban, 21 January 2009
The Home Ministry will investigate claims that 'The Herald - The Catholic Weekly' was still using the word 'Allah' despite the government's decision prohibiting the publication from doing so.
Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the decision to disallow the weekly from using the word 'Allah' was a government's decision and not that of the ministry.
"The case is not yet disposed of by the court. They should have waited for the court's decision and not think as if they have all the rights and others don't.
"We have been tolerant towards other religions; If we decide to ban the publication, they will get angry and accuse us of stifling freedom," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Sensitive matter
In May, the High Court granted leave to the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur to apply for a judicial review against the Home Ministry's decision to prohibit the weekly from using the world "Allah".
"Religious issues are a sensitive matter. That is why I refrain from debating the issue but if a religion decides to show its strength and numerous other actions, I think it is verging on dangerous territories.
"To me, it is better that we resolve this in a non-confrontational manner," he said.
On a blog found to be insulting Prophet Muhammad, Syed Hamid said, investigation papers had been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chamber for further action.
Yesterday, Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew said this week's edition uses the banned word and that he intends to continue doing so until the courts rule on the issue next month.
"We find this restriction on the use of 'Allah' unacceptable when we have been using it as a translation for 'God' for centuries in Malaysia," he told AFP.
Herald, circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the disputed word.
（End）
