I refer to the Malaysiakini report Najib: We can't stop people from protesting .

Hishamuddin Hussein says that it is okay to hold demonstrations over the usage of the word ‘Allah’ by the Christians. What I am surprised to note is that a court of law has already decided on the issue and the matter is on appeal.

There is also an application for a stay which has been granted and consent of the parties involved that the word ‘Allah’ will not be used in the publication of the Catholic newspaper ‘The Herald’ until after the disposal of the issue by the appellate court.

When a matter is pending in court, discussing the matter becomes sub judice . This is the same point that the MACC has raised in their police report against ‘Free Malaysia’ and Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand who was alleged to have disclosed her findings after the second post- mortem of Teoh Beng Hock.

Now the home minister says it is alright to hold demonstrations on this issue of ‘Allah’ word usage that is before the courts.

In any event, this announcement is made by one of those uneducated ministers of BN so one can, perhaps, close one eye and just accept it. Hishammuddin is a lawyer who graduated from a university in Wales and he also graduated with a Masters degree from the London School of Economics.

His credentials speak volumes but his action is puzzling in allowing those protestors to demonstrate over an issue that is still before the courts. He should know that such demonstrations are illegal and they can be cited for contempt.

Perhaps he should take a cue from the attorney-general or seek his advice before making further statements on this issue.

I would expect the police will be calling all the organisers of this intended Friday protest tomorrow and warn them that the full force of the law will be applied onto them should they gather and cause a public nuisance.