Sarawakian’s suit for ‘Allah’ CDs seizure set for January

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — The High Court here will hear on Jan 12 the application by a Melanau woman to challenge the Home Ministry’s decision confiscating eight compact discs (CDs) of Christian religious teachings containing the word “Allah”.

Justice Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman fixed the date in chambers today.

Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, 27, was granted leave on May 4 to initiate the judicial review proceedings against the ministry and the government, as respondents, to seek three reliefs from the court.

She wants an order of certiorari to quash the ministry’s decision to confiscate the CDs, an order of mandamus to direct the ministry to return the CDs to her and a declaration that she has the legitimate expectation to exercise her right to possess, use and import publications containing the word “Allah”.

On May 11 last year, the ministry seized the CDs under Section 9 (1) of the Printing Presses And Publications Act 1984 when Ireland, a clerk, disembarked at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang.

The CDs containing titles including “Cara Menggunakan Kunci Kerajaan Allah, Cara Hidup Dalam Kerajaan Allah and Ibadah Yang Benar Dalam Kerajaan Allah” were brought in from Indonesia.

Ireland, a Sarawakian native of the Christian faith, claimed that she used the word “Allah” in her prayers, worship and religious education.

She claimed that she received a letter dated July 7 last year from the ministry outlining the reasons for the confiscation, including that it was a threat to security, that it used prohibited words and that it was a breach of Jakim guidelines.

She was represented by counsel Annou Xavier while senior federal counsel Suzana Atan appeared for the respondents. — Bernama