The Malaysian government has threatened the Muslim country's major Catholic newspaper with closure after the paper published articles allegedly "denigrating Islam". PR Inside reports the Malaysian government has accused the paper of breaking publication rules by running articles deemed political and insulting to Islam, and warned it of stern action, officials said on Monday.
The reprimand underscores the tenuous position of minority religions in multiethnic Malaysia amid a growing number of interfaith disputes.
The Home Ministry sent a letter to the Herald's publishers warning that its editions in June had "committed offences" by highlighting Malaysian politics and current affairs instead of Christian issues for which it has been given a licence.
All publications and other media outlets in Malaysia are required to possess government licences that must be renewed every year.
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, accused the Herald of carrying an article that "could threaten public peace and national security" because it allegedly "denigrated Islamic teachings".
Fr Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Herald, the Catholic Church's main publication in Malaysia, denied the newspaper had overstepped its boundaries.
"We comment on issues. The Pope comments on issues. It's normal for us to have an ethical interpretation of current events and politics," Fr Andrew said. "I don't think we were in any way going against the type of content we have chosen."
He also denied an article titled "America and Jihad - Where do they stand?" had mocked Islam, saying it was an analysis of circumstances following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
The ministry's letter warned it "would not hesitate to take sterner action" if the Herald repeats its alleged offences. It did not provide details, but a ministry official said the Herald must satisfactorily explain why it ran the articles and pledge to stick by the rules.
If the newspaper refuses, the ministry will likely suspend its publication, the official said on condition of anonymity because she was not authorised to make public statements.
A representative of another Malaysian publication, the Catholic Asian News, said it also recently received a warning letter about raising political issues, but declined to elaborate.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sacerdos