JOHOR BARU: The Johor police are still awaiting for further instructions from the Attorney-General's Chambers on the fate of the 31 Catholic hymn books seized from a priest.
Johor criminal investigation department chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan said there is currently no new development on the case yet.
"We are still awaiting further instruction from the AG for the next course of action.
"There are no orders to return the seized hymn books," he told the New Straits Times on the latest status of the case today.
Hasnan urged all parties to be patient and assured that police will issue a statement once there is new development from the ACG with regards to the case.
On Dec 5, police seized 31 hymn books, titled Mari Kita Memuji Allah Kita, from a 44-year-old parish priest at a photocopy shop in Tangkak, Ledang.
The priest and a follower were brought to the Ledang district police headquarters to have their statements recorded.
They were not arrested by police.
However, the hymn books were seized for investigation purposes.
Police had classified the case under Section 289A of the Penal Code.
The particular section covers a variety offences related to causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudice.
It also covers the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.
It is learnt that the Catholic priest, who is from the Church of St Andrew, Muar, and his follower were detained by police, while three hymn books, titled Mari Kita Memuji Allah Kita, were seized from a photocopy shop in Tangkak, Johor.
It is understood that the books, which are in Bahasa Malaysia, are meant for a Christmas service for about 100 Catholic Orang Asli parishioners.