Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, in an interview with Reuters yesterday, said the government was “still reviewing” The Herald’s licence and was following “due process”.
“Until Dec 31, we are not going to announce anything. There is plenty of time. Let them wait.”
Now, I hope this is yet another “miscommunication” or “misquote” by the press. But if not, it shows the arrogance and high-handedness of the deputy minister. Imagine the publishers having to wait UNTIL THE LAST DAY before finding out if they will get permit for following year or not. If there are paid employees working under the publishers, can they find another job if the Herald is closed down on the very last day? To add salt to wound, Herald made their application for permit renewal way back in JULY! That’s 6 months of inefficiency for you.
I get the impression that the ministry (or at least the deputy minister) is purposely making life hard for the Herald, possibly due to the court case on usage of the word “Allah” made by the Herald against the ministry. So, is this a case of intimidation, perversion of justice, and/or gross negligence?
Read the NST report yourself:
Catholic weekly The Herald may have to stop publication as its publishing permit, which expires at the end of the month, has still not been renewed.
The weekly, recently the subject of controversy over the use of the word ‘Allah’ in its content, needs to have the permit renewed by Dec 31 to continue operations next year.
Its editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, said the paper’s licence was usually renewed three months before the deadline.
However, this year, the Home Ministry has yet to renew the permit although The Herald applied for a renewal earlier than it usually does.
“We expected difficulties, so we applied in July. There should be no reason for the delay,” said Lawrence.
“The government said it was still reviewing our licence. But we are now at the tail-end of the year. I must let people know what is going on.”
On the paper’s use of the word “Allah”, he said: “The issue is in the courts.”
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, in an interview with Reuters yesterday, said the government was “still reviewing” The Herald’s licence and was following “due process”.
“Until Dec 31, we are not going to announce anything. There is plenty of time. Let them wait.”
However, Lawrence is optimistic about the publication’s chances of operating again although warning letters from the ministry don’t bode well for the future.
“In their letters, they say that what we write can be a threat to national security. But issues like the economic and food crises are also ethical things which affect families and faith.”
Asked if The Herald would “tone down” if its licence was renewed, he said: “We are not being adamant or stubborn, but when there is a food or economic crisis, how can we tone down?
“We wrote about the fuel prices and asked people to pray that it would go down. And it did. What’s wrong with that?”
Asked whether it was The Herald’s editorial slant that was the problem, Lawrence said he was not sure.
“Our paper is only sold in churches. We don’t sell it to vendors or Muslims. They cannot prevent us from educating our people and expanding their faith.”
He said if The Herald’s publishing permit was not renewed, he would leave the matter to Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam to decide.
The Herald has a readership of about 14,000 nationwide.
MP
Let me share the real issue that both parties not saying out aloud.
The Herald and Father Lawrence got into trouble not for the usage of “Allah” but for their anti-government and anti-Islam activities. If you read the Herald, you will be shocked by the bold and highly political stance taken by the weekly. Their approach to Islam also tend to be a bit confrontational. Try to get a copy from one of your Christian friends or the local Catholic churches like Our Lady of Lourdes (Klang), St Anne (Pklang) or SFX (PJ).
And if you google Father Lawrence, you will find he is a very active figure in anti-govt campaigns like anti-ISA activities and other PR events.
BTW the Herald’s purpose of using the word “Allah” too has its own reasons and objectives, which I would rather not share in an open forum.
In any case this is the real reason for the Herald’s licence issue.
interesting indeed. I have read about Father lawrence’ involvement in “opposition” and “illegal” programmes. but still, isn’t he and the church establishment answerable to higher-ups in their own hierarchy? So, i take it this condoned by the christian authorities?
anyway, i think i understand why you are implying.
my focus on the article is the response given by the ministry. they should reject the license and let the publishers take the next step.
MP
Another little known fact, but an important one nevertheless, is the key influence of the Christian churches on the outcome of GE12. Their influence I would say that almost as great as HINDRAF’s on Indians in getting them voting against BN.
Months before the GE, the churches had turned political and openly advocated voting against BN in their masses and other programs. It started off slowly and discreetly but later came out very open and bold. The churches are very well organised and succeeded in awakening the political concisousness of the Christians even among those who were previously did not care about politics.
Certain personalities like Teresa, Nat Tan, Ronnie Liu,LGE, LKS and others encouraged this and them rode on it for the GE. But using religious sentiments is a dangerous and a double-edged sword and there is a price to pay. In return to their support, the elected MPs (esp from DAP) were required to be more assertive by the catholic community and this would explain some of actions of Teresa and Ronnie in Selangor, for example. That is why I mentioned here once that Teresa is hardly the innocent victim she would like us to believe.
As for the church authorities, the pro-PR slant comes from very top so the likes of Father Lawrence has no concerns. He is just one of the vocal ones, there are several in Klang Valley and with a few more in Kinta Valley and Penang.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Google is your best friend. Also speak to your Catholic friends too about the politicisation of Catholic faith in Malaysia. That will be an intresting conversation.