The Use of Word "Allah": Court of Appeal Ready to Hear An Appeal

I believe all Muslims in Malaysia are happy when Court of Appeal denied an application by by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur to strike out the Government’s appeal. The Government appealed against the decision of the High Court allowing Catholic weekly Herald to use the word “Allah” in its publications. 

As the application Herald had been struck out, it means the appeal is on. The Government will have opportunities to submit the arguments why Herald should not be allowed to use the word Allah in its publications.

The case has its own "heat". Indeed, in the context of Malaysia, our sensitivity toward religious issue is well known. Hence, somehow I am of the opinion it is not fair to compare our Malaysia with other countries in certain issues. 

There is an opinion that Government should have a dialogue with the church instead of continuing with the court process. I just can't agree with this. I think the issue such this one should be decided in court because it affects the country as a whole and I just don't see how the so called "dialogue" will help resolving this issue. 

Then there is a talk about Constitutional Rights. Please show me where in this world exists the "absolute rights". There is no such thing as absolute rights. Every right must come with limitation. Hence, when it comes to your right to write, to publish, to express your opinions, you can do so, but you must know where your limit ends. Government will not stop you to publish your publications. You can keep on publishing, but your right to publish is not absolute, it comes with restrictions - so one of the restrictions: Don't use the word Allah. 

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Three Cops on Rape Charges

BUTTERWORTH: Three policemen were charged in the Sessions Court here with raping and forcing unnatural sex on an Indonesian woman.

Syahiran Romli, 21, Nik Sin Mat Lazin, 33, and Remmy Dana, 25, pleaded not guilty to raping and forcing the woman to perform oral sex on them in Room 4 of the Prai police station barracks between 6.40am and 7.30am on Nov 9.

They were charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping and Section 377C of the Penal Code.

Judge Nabishah Ibrahim set bail at RM25,000 each and Dec 12 for statement of evidence from witnesses.

Remmy was represented by S. Anthonysamy while Nik Sin and Syahiran by Parmjit Singh.

Earlier, senior DPP Suhaimi Ibrahim, who was assisted by DPP Norashikin Mokhtar, had asked the court to deny the accused bail to prevent the possibility of witness tampering, as the witnesses are known to the three.

Also in court were acting Indonesian consul-general Sofiana Mufidah, Penang CID chief Senior Asst Comm Mazlan Kesah and Bukit Mertajam Barisan Nasional coordinator Lau Chiek Tuan, who had helped the woman lodge the initial police report in Bandar Perda.

The three were arrested on the night of Nov 9 after the woman lodged the report.

More than 30 pressmen, including from two television stations in Indonesia, were at the courthouse as early as 8am yesterday.

SAC Mazlan later said the three had been suspended.

“They have to report to us every month,” he said.

The trio posted bail at about 5pm and left the court in a police car.

Source: The Star

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Man's Application To Change His Name

As he went through an operation to become a woman, now he argues that he's facing problems because the name is still a man's name. He wants to change it - to the woman's name. He made an application before the court. And seriously it is not an easy decision to be made.

“If the court allows a name change, we fear it might have an impact on society.

“It is a difficult decision,” he said.

High Court Judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa set July 18 for the decision for that complicated case. I am sure Malaysians will be waiting for that decision because if court allows the application, the fear is that it will open a floodgate.

That group of people will be keep coming to the High Court for name changing if on this July 18 such application is allowed. Thus, sit tight, wait patiently and we will see how the decision will be made by the High Court.

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