KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government on Monday (Mar 15) appealed a court's decision to overturn a decades-old official ban and allow Christians in the Muslim-majority country to use "Allah" to refer to God.
The word has long been divisive in multi-ethnic Malaysia, with Christians complaining that attempts to stop them using it highlight the growing influence of conservative Islam.
But some Muslims accuse the sizeable Christian minority of overstepping boundaries, and the subject has fuelled religious tensions and sparked violence over the years.
Last week the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Christians can use "Allah" in publications, siding with a member of the minority and striking down a ban that dated back to 1986.
A judge ruled the ban was unconstitutional, as Malaysia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
But the government lodged a challenge at the court of appeal saying it was "not satisfied" with the ruling, according to documents seen by AFP.
Authorities have long argued that allowing non-Muslims to use "Allah" could be confusing, and entice Muslims to convert.
The case began 13 years ago when officials seized religious materials in the local Malay language from a Christian at Kuala Lumpur airport that contained the word "Allah".
The woman - Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, a member of a Malaysian indigenous group - then launched a legal challenge against the ban on Christians using the term.
Malaysia has largely avoided overt religious conflict in recent decades, but tensions have been growing.
In 2014 a church was hit with petrol bombs, while Islamic authorities have seized Bibles containing the word "Allah".
Less than 10 per cent of Malaysia's 32 million people are estimated to be Christians, coming from mostly ethnic Chinese, Indian or indigenous backgrounds, while 60 per cent are ethnically Malay Muslims.
YANGON: A block on mobile data networks across Myanmar on Monday (Mar 15) scuppered a scheduled video court appearance by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as protesters returned to the streets after the bloodiest day since the military coup six weeks ago.
At least 44 protesters were killed on Sunday as security forces cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrations, taking the death toll since the coup to more than 120, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group.
Myanmar has been in uproar since the putsch, with daily protests demanding a restoration of democracy despite the junta's increasingly forceful attempts to quell dissent.
The court hearing for Aung San Suu Kyi - who spent more than 15 years under house arrest during previous military rule - was scheduled for 10am in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, but it was postponed until Mar 24, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP.
"There's no court hearing because there's no Internet and the hearing is conducted by video conference ... We cannot do video," he said.
Myanmar authorities have throttled the Internet every night for several weeks, normally restoring services in the morning, but monitoring service Netblocks said mobile data networks were kept offline Monday.
Suu Kyi faces at least four charges: Possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching telecommunications laws, and intent to cause public unrest.
Military authorities have also accused her of accepting illegal payments of US$600,000 in cash as well as a large quantity of gold - allegations her lawyer says are "groundless".
Khin Maung Zaw had previously complained he was not allowed to meet Suu Kyi, who has been in custody since the coup, and on Monday said police have appointed two junior lawyers on his team to have the power of attorney.
"The police have no right to decide who represents the defendants," he said, adding that the whole situation is "strange" - from the lack of Wi-Fi in the court to the appointment of junior lawyers.
Aung San Suu Kyi's postponed hearing came a day after violent clashes between security forces and protesters, and the torching of several Chinese-owned factories in a textile-producing district of commercial hub Yangon as many protesters believe Beijing is supportive of the coup.
Myanmar activists planned more anti-coup rallies on Monday (Mar 15), a day after at least 39 people were killed in clashes with security forces in the commercial hub of Yangon where Chinese-financed factories were torched.
Security forces killed at least 22 pro-democracy protesters in the Hlaingthaya suburb of Yangon on Sunday, an advocacy group said.
A further 16 protesters were killed in other places, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said, as well as one policeman, making it the bloodiest day since the Feb 1 coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Martial law was imposed in Hlaingthaya and in the Shwepyitha districts of Yangon, state media announced.
The Chinese embassy said many Chinese staff members were injured and trapped in arson attacks by unidentified assailants on garment factories in Hlaingthaya, and that it had called on Myanmar to protect Chinese property and citizens. China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta that has taken power.
As plumes of smoke rose from the industrial area, security forces opened fire on protesters in the suburb that is home to migrants from across the country, local media said.
"It was horrible. People were shot before my eyes. It will never leave my memory," said one photojournalist on the scene who did not want to be named.
Army-run Myawadday television said security forces acted after four garment factories and a fertiliser plant were set ablaze and about 2,000 people had stopped fire engines from reaching them.
People flash a three-finger salute as they take part in an anti-coup protest at Hledan junction in Yangon, Myanmar, Mar 14, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)
Protests were planned for Monday in the country's second city of Mandalay, activist Myat Thu said, while residents in Yangon said demonstrations were planned in two areas of the city. Violence also broke out in other parts of Yangon as protests ran late into Sunday night.
"Three people died in my arms. We rescued about 20 injured people last night," said Zizawah, 32, a resident and protester in the Thingyunkyun district of Yangon.
Another resident, May Myat Noe, 21, said there were three fatalities and scores of people were injured in the South Dagon district after they came out to protest.
"They used machine guns and were constantly firing at the people," she said.
A junta spokesman did not answer calls requesting comment.
Dr Sasa, a representative of elected lawmakers from the assembly that was ousted by the army, voiced solidarity with the people of Hlaingthaya.
"The perpetrators, attackers, enemies of the people of Myanmar, the evil SAC (State Administrative Council) will be held accountable for every drop of blood that shed," he said in a message.
The latest deaths would bring the toll from the protests to 126, the AAPP said. It said more than 2,150 people had been detained by Saturday. More than 300 have since been released.
Security forces stand guard during a demonstration by protesters against the military coup in Yangon on Mar 14, 2021. (Photo: AFP/STR)
Tom Andrews, the United Nations human rights investigator on Myanmar, appealed for United Nations member states to cut the supply of cash and weapons to the military.
"Heartbroken/outraged at news of the largest number of protesters murdered by Myanmar security forces in a single day. Junta leaders don't belong in power, they belong behind bars," he said on Twitter.
China's embassy described the situation as "very severe" after the attacks on the Chinese-financed factories.
Marking the strongest comments by China about the violence up to now, it urged Myanmar authorities to "stop all acts of violence, punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law and ensure the safety of life and property of Chinese companies and personnel".
No group claimed responsibility for burning the factories.
Anti-Chinese sentiment has risen since the coup that plunged Myanmar into turmoil, with opponents of the army takeover noting Beijing's muted criticism compared to Western condemnation.
Protesters sit on a makeshift barricade erected to deter security forces during demonstrations against the military coup in Yangon's Hlaing Tharyar township on Mar 14, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Stringer)
Only two factories had been burnt for now, protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on Facebook.
"If you want to do business in Myanmar stably, then respect Myanmar people," she said. "Fighting Hlaingthaya, we are proud of you!!"
An editorial in the Global Times, which is published by the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, condemned what it described as "barbaric acts".
"We strongly urge Myanmar side to stop this kind of crimes, punish the perpetrators and compensate Chinese factories for the losses," it said.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar condemned what she termed the "ongoing brutality".
Christine Schraner Burgener said she had "personally heard from contacts in Myanmar heartbreaking accounts of killings, mistreatment of demonstrators and torture of prisoners over the weekend".
The repression undermined the prospects for peace and stability, she said, appealing to the international community to support the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations.
Britain, Myanmar's former colonial ruler, said it was appalled by the security forces' use of deadly force against innocent people in Hlaingthaya and elsewhere.
"We call for an immediate cessation of this violence and for the military regime to hand back power to those democratically elected by the people of Myanmar," British Ambassador Dan Chugg said.
People take part in an anti-coup protest at Hledan junction in Yangon, Myanmar, Mar 14, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)
AUNG SAN SUU KYI COURT SESSION ADJOURNED
The army said it took power after its accusations of fraud in a Nov 8 election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party were rejected by the electoral commission. It has promised to hold a new election, but has not set a date.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since the coup and faces various charges, including the illegal importing of walkie-talkie radios and infringing coronavirus protocols. Last week, a charge related to accepting illegal payments was added to the list.
She was due to face another virtual court hearing on Monday but her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, told Reuters the session could not go ahead because the internet was down which meant no video conferencing. The next hearing will be on March 24, he said.
Away from Hlaingthaya, at least 16 deaths were reported elsewhere in Myanmar, including in Mandalay and Bago, where state television MRTV said a police officer had died of a chest wound after a confrontation with protesters.
He is the second policeman reported dead in the protests.
The violence took place a day after Mahn Win Khaing Than, who is on the run along with most senior officials from Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party, said the civilian government would give people the legal right to defend themselves. It announced a law to that effect on Sunday.
YANGON: At least 18 anti-coup protesters were killed on Sunday (Mar 14) in one of the deadliest days since Myanmar was thrust back under military rule.
In Yangon's massive Hlaing Tharyar township, police and soldiers faced off against protesters wielding sticks and knives as they hid behind makeshift barricades, fleeing after the security forces opened fire.
Protesters - using cut-out trash cans as shields - managed to retrieve the injured, but a doctor said not all could be reached.
Anti-coup protesters squat with shields behind black smoke from burning debris on the road in Hlaing Thar Yartownship in Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Mar 14, 2021.
"I can confirm 15 have died," the doctor told AFP, adding that she had treated about 50 people with injuries and expects the death toll to climb.
"I cannot talk much - injured people keep coming," she said before hanging up.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group - which verifies arrests and fatalities since the coup - confirmed a higher death toll.
Myanmar state television MRTV said late on Sunday that martial law has been imposed in Hlaing Tharyar district.
Throughout the day, gunshots were heard continuously by residents hiding in their homes as smoke rose above the streets, while military trucks were sighted driving through Hlaing Tharyar's streets.
State-run media on Sunday evening did not elaborate on the violence, but said five factories in the garment-producing township had been razed.
Among the burned buildings were Chinese-owned factories, said China's embassy in Myanmar, condemning the actions of the "destroyers" in a statement posted on their official Facebook.
"The Chinese embassy ... quickly urged local police to guarantee the security of Chinese businesses and personnel with effective management," it said.
"China urges Myanmar to tackle an effective plan by stopping all violence."
Anti-coup protesters surround an injured man in Hlaing Thar Yartownship in Yangon, Myanmar Sunday, March 14, 2021. A number of people were shot dead during protests in Myanmar's largest city on Sunday, as security forces continued their violent crackdown against dissent following last month's military coup. (AP Photo)
The evening news also confirmed another death in Tamwe township, saying that hundreds of protesters attempted to torch a police station, which caused authorities to open fire to disperse them.
Similar scenes of chaos unfolded throughout the day in other parts of Myanmar - with one shot dead in the northern Hpakant city and another woman killed from a headshot in Mandalay.
Despite the daily bloodshed, those in the anti-coup movement remain defiant, and have hardened in recent weeks.
"I've seen the fallen heroes give their lives," said 21-year-old Ma Khine Lay, admitting she was afraid even as she rebuilt barricades out of bricks and bamboo poles in a Yangon township.
"I will fight until the end."
Hundreds of thousands have continued to protest near-daily across Myanmar, despite crackdowns by the police AFP/STR
Mahn Win Khaing Than, the acting leader of Myanmar's parallel civilian government, addressed the public via Facebook on Saturday, saying: "This is the darkest moment of the nation and the moment that the dawn is close."
He is on the run along with most senior officials from the ruling National League for Democracy Party. He said the civilian government would "attempt to legislate the required laws so that the people have the right to defend themselves" against the military crackdown.
