Ani Arope: Even my Jew pal could say 'Alhamdulillah'

In a day and age when Christians in Malaysia are barred from using the word ‘Allah', retired corporate leader Ani Arope reminisced today of his younger old days when even Jews could say ‘Allahamduillah'.

The former Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) chairperson, who is known for his opposition to the government's lopsided deals with independent power producers (IPPs), recollected the tolerant environment as he was growing up.

"I grew up among the various races in Penang... there were Jews, Arabs, Chinese, Burmese Siamese and there were no problems. In fact the Jewish population there, most of them spoke Arabic," Ani said at the official launch of his memoirs in Bangi.

"When they (Jews) meet their Arab friends, they (Arab friends) will ask ‘how do you do?' and they (Jews) will reply ‘I am good', But that is not all, for they will add in, ‘Allahamduillah' - God be praised.

"Today, unfortunately, we cannot use that. If you (non-Muslim) want to say ‘Tua Pek Kong' (a Chinese god), then never mind, but ‘Allahamduillah' cannot be used. It is sad," the 81-year-old said in his speech this morning.

‘Allah' and ‘Allahamduillah' are among several words non-Muslims are banned from using under the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment that is in force in several states.

'Tolerance, acceptance, openness'

Ani also related how he was forced into a Christian mission school after his family's break-up and, together with another Jew boy, were the odd ones out.

"My Jew friend supported me," he said to a multi-racial crowd of about 100 people at the launch.

Also present at the event was TNB chairperson Leo Moggie (right), who praised Ani for his contribution in the setting up of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten).

Moggie, in his speech, also echoed Ani's sentiment about religion, as expressed in his memoirs.

"Currently there is still a continuing debate on the use of the word 'Allah'. Ani referred to it and made it quite clear that others can be allowed to use the word.

"Of course, to me, that has a very personal piquancy to it because in Iban language, when we pray in the Christian faith, we have to use the word "Subhanallah" to refer to God.

"It is not Bahasa (Malaysia) for me, it is Iban (language). So it is that element of acceptance, tolerance and openness that is in the pages of the book (Ani’s memoir)," he said.

Ani, who now looks very different from his former self, said he decided to produce his memoirs after being diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer.

He was given within six months to two years to live, but has outlived that period.

Approached after the event for his view on the electricity tariff hike to be implemented next year, Ani said he was not certain whether it was necessary but said any re-negotiations with the IPPs must be just.

"I have been out of TNB for a long time, so I wouldn't know (if the hike is necessary). But the IPP agreements must be fair," he said.

In his memoir, Ani had said that by now, the IPPs would have recouped their capital investments and urged that they reduce their capacity charges.

Ani was TNB chairperson from 1990 to 1992 and executive chairperson from 1992 to 1996.

His 143-page book, ‘Memoirs of Tan Sri Ani Arope’ is published by the Fulbright Alumni Association of Malaysia.