KUALA LUMPUR, 24 June 2009: The High Court (Appellate and Special Powers Division) here today fixed 22 July to hear the Attorney-General’s objections to the application by the Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum (Malaysia) for a judicial review on the banning of a book.
Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof set the date in chambers. On 15 Dec 2008, SIS filed the application for judicial review naming Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, the home minister then, as the respondent.
SIS wants the court to overturn the ban issued by the home minister on the book Muslim Women and the Challenge of Islamic Extremism, published in 2005.
The book is a compilation of essays based on research by renowned international scholars and activists and edited by sociologist Prof Norani Othman of the Institute of Malaysia and International Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
SIS contended that the banning of the book by Syed Hamid on 5 Nov last year was ultra vires the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Articles 8(2), 10(1)(a) and 11(4) of the Federal Consitution.
SIS was represented by counsel K Shanmuga, while senior federal counsel Noorhisham Ismail appeared for the respondent. — Bernama
