The Home Ministry will investigate claims that 'The Herald - The Catholic Weekly' was still using the word 'Allah' despite the government's decision prohibiting the publication from doing so.

syed hamid albar Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the decision to disallow the weekly from using the word 'Allah' was a government's decision and not that of the ministry.

"The case is not yet disposed of by the court. They should have waited for the court's decision and not think as if they have all the rights and others don't.

"We have been tolerant towards other religions; If we decide to ban the publication, they will get angry and accuse us of stifling freedom," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Sensitive matter

In May, the High Court granted leave to the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur to apply for a judicial review against the Home Ministry's decision to prohibit the weekly from using the world "Allah".

"Religious issues are a sensitive matter. That is why I refrain from debating the issue but if a religion decides to show its strength and numerous other actions, I think it is verging on dangerous territories.

"To me, it is better that we resolve this in a non-confrontational manner," he said.

On a blog found to be insulting Prophet Muhammad, Syed Hamid said, investigation papers had been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chamber for further action.

herald the catholic weekly online 241207 Yesterday, Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew said this week's edition uses the banned word and that he intends to continue doing so until the courts rule on the issue next month.

"We find this restriction on the use of 'Allah' unacceptable when we have been using it as a translation for 'God' for centuries in Malaysia," he told AFP .

Herald , circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the disputed word.