Churches can still use 'Allah', gov't says

Christians can still use the word 'Allah' in worship as the Federal Court’s decision only applies to the publication of Catholic weeklyThe Herald, the government says.

In a brief statement, it said that the government is also committed to the 10-point solution, mooted three years ago.

This refers to the cabinet decision to allow the print and import of bibles in indigenous languages, including Bahasa Malaysia, which use the word 'Allah'.

"The government respects the decision of the court and asks all parties to abide by it.

"The ruling only applies to The Heraldnewspaper’s use of the word ‘Allah’. Malaysian Christians can still use the word ‘Allah’ in church," a spokesperson said.

The government also called for differences to be managed "peacefully in accordance with the rule of law", as well as through dialogue and the spirit of compromise.

The Federal Court yesterday rejected The Herald's application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeal decision which upheld a Home Ministry ban against it from using the word 'Allah'.

Four on the seven-member Federal Court panel voted against The Herald, while three were in favour of granting the leave.

Cabinet decision

Although the 10-point solution, brokered before the 2011 Sarawak election, is a cabinet decision, it is not binding as it is not a piece of legislation.

All states but Sarawak and the Federal Territories have laws which ban non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah'.

Following the decision, Christian umbrella body the Christian Federation of Malaysia said Christians will continue to use the word 'Allah', except for in The Herald.

The Federal Court decision was also met with dismay by The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, which said that it meant erosion of minority rights.