Prayers...

Received this on email today... Everyone lets chip in and pray that God will remove all evil powers and potentates in our home.

Out Of Court Settlement In SIB Case Fails
Tuesday, 10 June 2008

Hearing for the SIB case over the lawfulness of confiscation of their Christian publications containing the word "Allah" finally started at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Monday (9 June) under a new judge, Justice Datuk Abdul Kadir Musa, after futile attempts to settle the dispute out of court.

The hearing of the application by the Sidang Injil Borneo (Borneo Evangelical Church) Sabah for leave to sue the Internal Security Minister Syed Hamid Albar (previously Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and the Federal government over the dispute was heard in chambers but was adjourned to 7 Aug.

SIB claimed that on 15 August 2007, three boxes of its Christian educational publications from Indonesia to Sabah were unlawfully detained on transit at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Sepang. They also contend that this had infringed upon their constitutional rights and their rights to freedom of religion.
After unsuccessful attempts to get the books released, the SIB filed the application for leave to seek a judicial review by way of a Certiorari Order from the court that the minister and government was wrong in law in confiscating and detaining the publications containing the word "Allah". It also filed for a Mandamus Order for the release of the books which were meant for their children's religions education. The church is also seeking several declarations from the court on their constitutional rights to use the word "Allah" in their religious publications, among other things. In addition, SIB is applying for a stay order.

In Monday's hearing, SIB was represented by Datuk D.P. Naban and Lim Heng Seng while senior Federal Counsel Azizah Nawawi represented the respondents. SIB Sabah president Pastor Jerry Dusing and church secretary Pastor Danny Limpakan were also present.

The books were returned to SIB on 25 Jan and it is understood that the application for Certiorari and Mandamus has been overtaken by events and the focus in on submission by SIB lawyers for the remaining declaratory reliefs and stay order. They are believed to have argued that the declarations are needed to protect their clients from continued harassment by the authorities regarding the use of the word "Allah" by the church.

The application was first heard before Justice Madam Lau Bee Lan on 27 Dec 2007. SIB lawyers tendered a certificate of urgency to case but senior Federal Counsel Azizah Nawawi asked for a postponement on grounds that there were moves by third parties to resolve the dispute out of court.

On 16 Jan 2008, when the case came up for hearing again before a new judge, Justice Datuk Wan Arfah. Azizah again asked for a postponement to 27 Jan. However, two days before that, SIB was given back their books and as a result both parties agreed to another adjournment on the understanding that following the general elections on 8 March, there would be renewed attempts to resolve the matter out of court but none was forthcoming till the hearing Monday. (By BOB TEOH/ MySinchew)