'Allah' case: First-ever 7-man panel set up in Federal Ct for civil dispute
BY M. MAGESWARI
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PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has set up a seven-man panel for the first time to hear a civil dispute over the use of the word 'Allah'.
Lawyer Karpal Singh said this was the first time a seven-man panel had been formed to hear a civil case at the apex court, and a first at the application for leave stage as well.
He said that there were two other occasions where such a large coram was constituted, which involved criminal matters.
It involved drug cases. It was at the hearing of the merits for both cases," he said here Wednesday.
However, Karpal said that it was a good move to have a larger panel as it involved an important issue regarding the use of the word 'Allah'.
"It should have a full bench of nine or 11 judges for the hearing of the merits (stage) if leave is allowed," he added.
The lawyer representing the Herald, S. Selvarajah, said that they were satisfied that the judges had heard their arguments for the application.
"We are confident that we will get leave as we posed 28 questions to the apex court. If we get leave for one question, it will be sufficient for us," he added.
Bar Council president Christopher Leong said it was justifiable for the panel to have a larger bench on constitutional issues.
"To have all four (top) office bearers in the Judiciary, shows that it is an important case and involves public interest," he said.
He said the Court had to consider the facts that the Herald had been using the word in print for 14 years without having any problem, and there was no disruption of public order.
Meanwhile, the Herald's editor Rev Father Lawrence Andrew said he would pray for a favourable decision.
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