The Home Ministry has yet to release 1,500 CDs and cassette tapes worth over RM 18,000 belonging to a Sabah church despite several appeals and the church’s pledge to fulfil the conditions necessary for their release.

The tapes and CDs were confiscated last November because two of the 11 songs contain the word "Allah", among other reasons.

Entitled Pujian Momosik II – Sediakan Jalan Bagi Tuhan (Awakening Praise – Prepare the Way for the Lord) the recordings contain Christian songs performed by singers from the KadazanDusun tribe. They were produced by Maranatha Church, Penampang in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The original recording was sent to Kuala Lumpur last November for duplication and the 1,500 pieces were then sent back to the church. Officers from the Sabah State Home Ministry confiscated them upon arrival at the Kota Kinabalu airport.

In correspondence with the church thereafter, the ministry cited the following reasons for its action:

• Two of the songs contain the word "Allah";
• The phrase "For Christians Only" was not printed on the covers; and
• The producer did not provide a written assurance that the recordings would only be made available to the church and not the public.

The matter has now been referred to the Home Ministry at the federal level.

In March, NECF Malaysia appealed on behalf of the church to the said ministry, but to date, no response has been received.

In its letter, NECF explained that the word "Allah" has been used in pre-Islamic Arabia. Furthermore, the word has been regularly used in Christian publications, which are confined to churches, and NECF appealed for this practice to be allowed to continue.

The letter also stated that Maranatha Church would display on the covers the phrase "A Christian Publication". As to the use of the materials, the church will ensure that they are sold and used within the Christian circle.

NECF has made another appeal.