The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) regards the three warning letters sent by the Home Affairs Ministry to the publishers of the Herald as unjustified and an infringement of the right to circulate news within one’s own religious community, a right guaranteed by our Federal Constitution (Article 11).

Christians believe that all of life, in its political, economic, social, cultural and religious aspects, come under the sovereignty of God. Therefore, Christians have a duty to educate its members to discern God’s will and purpose by writing and publishing articles in church newsletters.

Furthermore, the weekly news contained in the Herald is intended for Catholic Christians who are regular Sunday worshippers, in order to help them to relate their faith to wider concerns, and to pray effectively for God’s blessings and guidance in one’s life, nation and the world.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) calls upon the Home Affairs Ministry to unconditionally withdraw the “Show-cause” letters and grant the Herald their renewable publishing permit. Should there be matters for clarification it should be resolved rationally and reasonably through face to face dialogue.