Local publisher ZI Publications Sdn Bhd is considering legal recourse against the Federal Territories Religious Affairs Department (Jawi), for seizing copies of the latest book by controversial liberal-Islam author Irshad Manji from a popular Klang Valley bookstore.

"(We are) considering all legal options, which includes filing a suit for judicial review against Jawi's actions, together with a claim for damages arising from the sales the publisher has lost as a consequence of their illegal actions," said owner and director Ezra Zaid.

In a statement released to the media, he called the seizure of the copies of the ‘ Allah, Liberty & Love' as well as its Malay language translation titled Allah, Kebebasan & Cinta by Jawi officials at a book store in Kuala Lumpur today, illegal.

NONE Ezra ( right ) argued that Jawi erred when it seized the books under Section 13 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 for the "publication as well as distribution of any material said to be contrary to religious laws".

He posited that the legislation only permits confiscation subject to a specific order of court, something which was never produced in today's raid, nor was there an official ban issued by the Home Ministry or details of what religious laws, if any, were breached.

"As of press time, no government gazette has been published by the Home Ministry to announce the banning of ‘Allah, Liberty & Love' or ‘Allah, Kebebasan & Cinta', therefore deeming both books as lawful publications that can be sold by all good bookstores and purchased by consumers nationwide."

NONE "The English version of Irshad Manji's book, ‘Allah, Liberty & Love', has been published since June 2011 and there has been no issue with the book until we published a Malay translation. To date, ZI Publications has never been informed that the book is contrary to any religious law."

In any case, he maintained that the book was published in the spirit of free inquiry which Islam itself cherishes and acting strictly in accordance with the right of free speech and expression as guaranteed by Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution.

"That said, we appreciate that our rights under Article 10 can be regulated. Nevertheless, section 13 of the said Act is unconstitutional as the Federal Constitution does not permit state governments to enact laws restricting free speech and expression," concluded Ezra.

Late this evening, the Home Ministry annouced that the government has issued a ban on the 'Allah, Liberty & Love'.

Home Ministry bans Manji's 'Love' book

Islamic authorities seize controversial book