Accept Court Ruling On Allah Issue Say Sabah Sarawak Mps

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The MPs and Senators on both sides of the divide says Christians who use “Allah” and other common religious words were predominantly Borneans and Orang Asli.PETALING JAYA: MPs and senators from Sabah and Sarawak have called on everyone to accept what they called a “victorious” High Court ruling declaring that the ban on the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims was unconstitutional, following widespread backlash by the public and several political parties.
In a statement today, MPs and senators from both sides of the divide called for the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling to end the 35-year-old issue faced by Sabahans, Sarawakians and the Orang Asli.
Yesterday, the government filed its appeal against last week’s High Court ruling that Christians can use the word “Allah” in their religious education and books.
The notice of appeal was filed in the High Court registry and a copy was extended to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal and lawyers for Sarawakian Jill Ireland, who won in a judicial review attempt last Wednesday. Putrajaya had 30 days to decide on the matter.
The MPs and senators also called for all political parties not to exploit the High Court’s decision for political mileage, arguing that the original Cabinet decision to ban the use of the word in 1986 was a result of political pressure by “self-centric Malayans”. Sabahans and Sarawakians refer to those in the peninsula as Malayans.
“The High Court’s decision is merely correcting an injustice suffered by Sabahans, Sarawakians and Orang Asli caused by some Malayans’ insecurity, ignorance and arrogance,” they said, calling the ruling a victory for Malaysian unity and also Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
The decision was also a sign of respect for speakers of native languages such as Bahasa Iban, Bidayuh, Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh and Kelabit, they said, adding that the use of Bahasa Malaysia terms among Christians was the outcome of the National Language Act 1967, the National Language Policy and the National Education Policy.
Elaborating further, they said Christians who use “Allah” and other common religious words were predominantly Borneans and Orang Asli who spoke Bahasa Malaysia as their second or first language.
“Meanwhile, in Sarawak, Bahasa Iban uses “Allah Taala”, Bahasa Bidayuh uses “Tuhan Alla”, while the Lun Bawangs, Lun Dayehs and Kelabits use the term “Tuhan Allah” for God.”
Last Wednesday, High Court Judge Nor Bee Ariffin ruled that a Dec 5, 1986, home ministry directive to prohibit the use of the words “Allah”, “Baitullah”, “Solat” and “Kaabah” by non-Muslims was illegal and unconstitutional.
The judge said the directive was wrongly issued as it went beyond the aim of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. - FMT

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