AG awaiting reply from minister on G25 book ban
The Attorney-General's Chambers is still awaiting a reply from the home minister regarding the ban imposed on the book Breaking the Silence: Voices of moderation - Islam in a constitutional democracy.
The book was published by G25, a grouping of former senior civil servants (G25). The ban came into force under the former BN administration when Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was the home minister.
The Attorney-General's Chambers is still awaiting a reply from the home minister regarding the ban imposed on the book Breaking the Silence: Voices of moderation - Islam in a constitutional democracy.
The book was published by G25, a grouping of former senior civil servants (G25). The ban came into force under the former BN administration when Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was the home minister.
Senior federal counsel Suzana Atan from the Attorney-General's Chambers informed High Court judge Justice Nordin Hassan of this today in chambers.
Following this, Justice Nordin fixed Jan 31 to hear the merits of the case, should the present Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin refuse the representation made by G25 last September, the group's lawyer Surendra Ananth said.
Today was initially fixed for hearing the merits of the G25 challenge against the ban imposed on their book.
The court last year granted leave (permission) for the merits of the challenge to be heard.
The book was published in December 2015 and carries a foreword by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. A copy was given to then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak that same month.
However, the book was banned by the Home Ministry on July 27, 2017, on the grounds that it was prejudicial to public order, was created to alarm public opinion and was prejudicial to public interest.
G25, led by Noor Farida Ariffin (photo below), then filed a judicial review application in October 2017 for a court order to quash the ban, which was made under Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
Besides Noor Farida, the other plaintiffs are Zainuddeen Abdul Bahari, former Finance Ministry secretary-general Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, Latifah Osman Merican and Dr Asma Abdullah.
They had named Ahmad Zahid as the sole respondent.
In an affidavit in support of the application, Sheriff said G25, which comprises retired judges, academicians and professionals, wanted to play a constructive role as the voice of moderation in Islam by championing Al-Maqasid al-Shariah.
They recognise that while Islam is the official religion, its administration should be in line with the constitutional provisions regarding the role of Islam and fundamental rights to freedom of expression and worship.
As a result of this, the movement decided to publish a book to create greater awareness that national interests must be upheld and to push for a society with peace and progress.
“The book is to promote discussion and dialogue on a moderate practice of Islam and to address the politicisation of religion in Malaysia,” Sheriff said, adding that the book had writings by 22 leading academicians, including himself.
He added that the group had written to the ministry in August 2017 asking for reasons for the ban but had received no reply.
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