Muslim Lawyers Group Wants Debate On Allah Appeal Withdrawal

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The Malaysian Muslim Lawyers’ Association (PPMM) has called for a debate on the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal on a legal case involving the use of the word “Allah” in non-Islamic religious education materials.
The resolution was unanimously agreed upon during PPMM’s 36th annual general meeting yesterday, said Muhamad Hisham Marzuki, who was elected as its new president during the same meeting.
“The meeting has, among other things, unanimously approved a motion to challenge parties involved in supporting and opposing the withdrawal of the Jill Ireland (case) to a debate on a neutral ground regarding the impact of the withdrawing the appeal.
“This includes government leaders who gave various unreasonable excuses on the impact of the withdrawal,” he said in a statement last night.
On March 10, 2021, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed a judicial review by Ireland, a Melanau Christian, who sought a declaration that she has the right to use the word “Allah” for religious and educational purposes.
The government had initially appealed against the decision but later withdrew the appeal. The notice for terminating the appeal was filed on April 18.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution IsmailAccording to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the decision to withdraw the appeal was made after discovering a contradiction between a 1986 cabinet decision and an administrative order issued by the Home Ministry the same year.
The 1986 Home Ministry directive issued under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 bans the use of “Allah”, “Kaabah”, “Baitullah”, and “Solat” by non-Muslims.
In her 2021 judgment, Court of Appeal judge Nor Bee Ariffin who was sitting as a High Court judge at the time ruled that the directive has no statutory backing and is, therefore, illegal and irrational.
She said it has gone above and beyond what was aimed for by the cabinet then.
Saifuddin said his ministry is reviewing the matter to draft a more comprehensive directive.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government would table enforcement proposals regarding the word “Allah” to the Conference of Rulers while also strengthening unity, peace, and harmony between races and religions in the country. - Mkini

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