Johor police have referred the case of 30 hymn books which were seized from a Catholic priest to the deputy public prosecutor.

Johor deputy CID chief Dennis Lim confirmed with Malaysiakini that they are now awaiting further instructions on whether the books should be returned or otherwise.

"The investigation paper has been referred to  the DPP for further instruction," Lim told Malaysiakini .

"They have the authority and knowledge to deem whether it is an offence or otherwise."

The Malaysian Insider had reported that the copies of the book entitled "Mari Kita Memuji Allah Kita" (Come let us praise our Allah) were seized from Cyril Mannayagam on Dec 5.

Cyril had sent the hymn book for copying on Dec 5 at a shop in Tangkak before returning to collect it later.

Two policeman were waiting for him when he arrived, asking whether the book was his.

Cyril and a parishioner who was with him were then asked to follow the officers to the Ledang police headquarters where Cyril's statement was recorded.

Priest was not detained

Meanwhile, Lim clarified The Malaysian Insider's report, saying that Cyril was not detained by the police and merely had his statement recorded.

"We merely took his statement because of the tip-off we received about the title of the book.

"We took the necessary action, that's why we have to seize the books for the time being.

"How can the book be titled as such, now that the situation is sensitive?” he asked.

When contacted, Cyril said no one from the police station had informed him of the current situation of the seized books.

When told that the deputy public prosecutor will decide whether it was on offence on Cyril's part or otherwise, Cyril said: "It's not a thick book to read, they can make a decision as it only takes less than two hours to go through the book."

Book was for Orang Asli

On the incident on Dec 5, Cyril said he was at the police station for more than four hours.

"They asked me what were the books for, I explained that they are for a Christmas service for the Orang Asli parishioners.

"I told them that I need the books by Sunday (today), but they said they are still waiting for the higher authorities to give the green light.

"I waited for more than a week. That's why I decided to go to the press (after the wait)," he said.