We refer to the Malaysiakini report Mais joins fray against Star, SIS .

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned that The Star newspaper was issued a show-cause letter by the home affairs ministry, following police reports lodged against the daily over the publication of a column questioning the caning of three Muslim women. CIJ calls on the home ministry to retract the show-cause letter and for the police reports to be withdrawn as the media's role to provide opinion on current issues must be respected.

The media reported about the issuing of the show-cause letter to The Star by the home ministry, a day after the media reported that the National Indigenous Organisation (Perkasa), the Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association (PPIM) and the Malaysian Muslim People's Coalition (Irimm), as well as eight individuals had lodged police reports at separate locations against the daily.

These NGOs viewed the commentary piece, published on Feb 19 and written by managing editor P Gunasegaram as an insult to Islam coming from a non-Muslim. Besides an apology, the Muslim NGOs, in particular, demanded that the writer be sacked.

In his article Persuasion, not compulsion , Gunasegaram asked whether the sentence of both caning and detention are proportionate to the offence -- illicit sex -- and argued against punitive sentence for private behaviour. The Star apologised publicly on Feb 24 in response to demands made by some readers.

The lodging of police reports and the point made that the writer is not fit to comment because he is a not a Muslim does not promote understanding of the issues. A common response is to invoke the use of repressive laws, a threat used not only by the authorities but increasingly, by non- governmental organisations. This worrying trend has the effect of silencing dissenting views and putting a stop to intellectual engagement.

Discussion of laws and court judgments -- be it under civil or syariah -- should not be curtailed. It is not a sign of disrespect; in fact, it strengthens Malaysia's legal system. The flow of information, ideas, analyses and opinions should be encouraged for they help us find out what shapes our understanding of issues and the concerns that are faced by a multi-ethnic society like Malaysia.

We urge the home ministry to retract its letter to The Star and for the groups and individuals to withdraw their police reports.

The writer represents Centre for Independent Journalism.