Hearing on ‘Allah’ issue does not warrant a full bench, says chief justice

Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Arifin Zakaria speaks to reporters in Putrajaya during the launch of Legal Year 2014 today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 11, 2014.The leave application for the "Allah" case to be heard by the Federal Court does not warrant a full bench, said Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of Legal Year 2014 at the Palace of Justice today, Ariffin said that the leave application will be heard by a five-member bench.

"I have gone through the issue and I don't think it warrants a full bench because it is a leave application," he said, in response to a suggestion by veteran lawyer Karpal Singh yesterday that a full bench hear the case.

When asked if he would consider a full bench should leave be granted, Ariffin added: "This is a leave application; we have to go stage by stage."

In October , a three-man Court of Appeal bench allowed Putrajaya’s appeal to reverse a High Court ruling that Herald could not use the word "Allah" as it was not an integral part of the Christian faith and practice.

The court said the Home Minister acted within the law on grounds of national security and public order.

It said such use, if allowed, would inevitably cause confusion among Malaysians, adding that the welfare of an individual or group must concede to the majority.

The church is appealing the decision and the leave application hearing at the Federal Court has been fixed for February 24.