Archbishop Leow worries decision leads to curbs on minority rights

Jan 29, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: The Catholic Church is concerned that the Jan 21 Federal Court decision on the ‘Allah’ issue could open a Pandora’s box in curbing the rights of minorities to manage their religious affairs.

Newly ordained Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Most Reverend Julian Leow said on Jan 20,

“My hope is for true justice to be carried out tomorrow in our court. My hope is for the rights of the minority of this country to be protected as guaranteed in the Constitution. “My hope is for the Constitution NOT to be reinterpreted and rewritten contrary to its intention and purpose. My hope is for confidence in the Judiciary to be restored,” the fourth Archbishop of the Catholic Church’s Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur told Malay Mail Online in an email.

The 50-year-old clergyman also urged the Catholic Church to “pray unceasingly for peace amongst us as a nation, to sow seeds of love, goodwill and understanding.”

On Jan 21, he said that while he was disappointed with the ruling of the Federal Court, the decision was not totally unexpected.

“I would like to believe this adverse decision is confined only to the HERALD and will not open a Pandora’s box on curbing the rights of minorities in managing our own religious affairs.

“In God we continue to pray and trust that there is light at the end of this tunnel,” he told The Malaysian Insider in a text message. -- The Malaysian Insider/The Malay Mail Online