Borders Malaysia: JAWI Acted Prematurely By Raiding Before Book Ban
29-Jun-12 10:44
[ Programme Segment: Current Affairs ]
Borders Malaysia is challenging the actions of the Federal Territories Religious Department or JAWI, in raiding and searching the premises of two Borders outlets, as well as JAWI’s prosecution of a Borders store manager who was charged in the Syariah Court for distributing by selling Irshad Manji’s banned book, Allah, Liberty and Love.
The book was banned by the Home Ministry following complaints from JAKIM that it contravened Islamic teaching and could harm public security and order.
In the following interview, BFM speaks to Berjaya Books and Borders Malaysia COO Yau Su Peng on why the company is taking legal action on the issue. She also discusses:
- The legal grounds on which Borders is challenging JAWI in court
- Whether the argument that store manager Nik Raina was doing her job, is sufficient to defend her against the Syariah law
- Whether this case will serve as a deterrent for employers to hire Muslim employees in future
- JAWI's reasoning behind not informing bookstores of the book ban earlier
- How Borders found out about the book ban and what the company did soonafter
- Minister in Prime Minister's Department's assertion that every religious agency recognised by government has the right to seize written work that can deviate the faith of Muslims
- Borders' call for clearer guidelines on banned books
- Implications of JAWI's actions towards Borders manager Nik Raina, on Malaysians
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