How did the seizure of hymn books affect the Orang Asli Christian community?

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Orang Asli Christians Feared Christmas Disruption Following Hymn Book Seizure

The seizure of Malay-language hymn books containing the word "Allah" caused significant distress to the Orang Asli Christian community of Kampung Tanah Gempur, raising fears they would be unable to observe Christmas traditions. Approximately 100 indigenous parishioners of the Melaka-Johor Diocese gathered in prayer for the safe return of the 31 confiscated books, titled “Mari Kita Memuji Allah Kita” or “Praise Be To God.” The hymnals, designed by the Orang Asli for their own religious use and in circulation for over 30 years, were seized by Johor police on December 5th at a bookshop in Tangkak following a tip-off.
Hymn Books Crucial for Christmas Observance

The confiscation of the 50-page hymn books occurred during Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, a time when the booklet is specifically utilized for services and rehearsals. Father Cyril Mannayagam, who works with the community, noted that the seizure created a "difficult time" and "mental torture" for the parishioners. The Orang Asli community, who comprise one quarter of the churchgoers and use Bahasa Malaysia for communication, rely on these unique hymnals for their religious practices.
Community Engaged in Prayer for Return of Books

Following the seizure, around 100 indigenous parishioners congregated for more than two hours of silent prayer, awaiting the return of their priest and the confiscated books. Father Mannayagam was asked to retrieve the books from the Tangkak police station on December 20th, and the villagers remained in prayer until his arrival at 10:15 PM that night with all 31 books. This collective act demonstrated the deep importance the community placed on the return of their sacred texts.
Case Dropped, Community Relieved

The Johor police had initially confiscated the books due to the presence of the word "Allah" and a picture of a church with a crucifix on the cover. Father Mannayagam was briefly detained for questioning under Section 298A of the Penal Code for allegedly causing disharmony, but he was released the same night. The case was subsequently dropped by the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office, leading to a sense of relief within the community. They expressed that their rights to worship in their own way have been respected, and they should not face exclusivity claims in their religious practices.

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How did the seizure of hymn books affect the Orang Asli Christian community?

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