SIS Goes for Judicial Review

Readers of this blog will remember that last July Sisters In Islam (SIS) had one of their books Muslim Women and the Challenges of Islamic Extremism banned by the Home Ministry last year on the sole ground that it was “prejudicial to public order” under Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. (And if not, you can refresh your memory here.)

Now SIS has applied for leave for a judicial review and lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar has declared the case ultra vires since the book was no threat to public order and had been in circulation for almost two years prior to the ban. Malik said the ban was ultra vires since the book was no threat to public order and had been in circulation for almost two years prior to the ban :

As such it is contrary to the applicant’s rights under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution to freedom of expression.

Really hoping for SIS' victory here as this is a case I think with much broader implications.