Confusion over use of ‘Allah’

PETALING JAYA: Although the government has assured that Christians can continue to use the word "Allah" in their worship and prayers, as set out in the 10-point solution, concerned groups have questioned the credibility of this stand.
Since the decision of the Federal Court on Monday to deny the Catholic weekly, The Herald, to appeal to the highest court in the land to plead its case, many have expressed concern over freedom of religion in Malaysia, particularly Christians in East Malaysia.
The government, however, in a statement said that the ban on the use of the word "Allah" is only for The Herald, and that it does not affect the Christian worship and prayers – something that has caused further confusion and controversy since the seized Bibles are yet to be returned.
Christian groups and opposition leaders have expressed disappointment over the court's decision while lawyers and law experts are divided in their opinion on the legality of the government's stand.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government's stand is "contradicting" and "hypocritical", adding that Putrajaya's stand seems to be made in view of the Sarawak state elections due by 2016.
"If the federal government promises that it will respect the 10-point solution in that 'Allah' can still be used in church, why did they ban it in The Herald in the first place?" Lim asked, adding that the government's stand seems "illogical".
Selayang MP William Leong said the court's decision has allowed the fundamental right of Malaysians to practice the religion of their choice to be violated without remedy.
He called on the government to take immediate action to correct the incursion into Article 11 of the Federal Constitution if it believes in the rule of law.
"In multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysia, the government has a duty to create and maintain an environment where the different faiths may peacefully be practised and equal protection of all faiths is ensured," Leong said.
However, Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong said that the government's stand is an assurance that the court's decision would not impact the Christians in their worship and prayers.
He said although the seven-year litigation process has come to an end, opportunities may arise for this matter to be clarified again.
"Until then, we must continue to engage one another in dialogue so we understand each other better and respect and accept the differences," Mah said.
It was reported that constitutional lawyer Edmund Bon said that the court ruling should not apply to others since it was specific to the Catholic publication while civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan had said the ruling in The Herald's case was now the "law of the land" and would be binding in similar cases.