Let’s move on, don’t politicise ‘Allah’ ruling, says Jeffrey

 

STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan says PAS and Umno should respect the ruling by the High Court. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Perikatan Nasional (PN) component party Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) has urged the people not to politicise the “Allah” issue any further.

Its president Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, said while he welcomed the decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to allow Christians the use of the word “Allah” in their religious education, focus should now be on healing the wounds caused by the over-politicisation of religious issues.

He added this included the use of Arabic terms in non-Muslim publications.

“This issue has been a source of discord among the people for so many years and I am glad we can finally move forward now.

“I hope no party will politicise the decision as this issue has never been about politics but it is a legal matter to be decided by the court,” he said, in a statement here today.

Kitingan said he was relieved the issue had finally been put to rest and the country and its people could finally move on.

High Court Judge Nor Bee Ariffin, in allowing a judicial review by a Sarawakian Christian, said a Dec 5, 1986, home affairs ministry directive prohibiting the use of certain words by non-Muslims was illegal and unconstitutional, adding that it was wrongly issued as it went beyond the aim of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

Following the decision yesterday, home minister Hamzah Zainudin said his ministry will decide on the next course of action after receiving the reasons for the judgment in writing from the court.

“I urge all parties not to speculate nor make any interpretations of the decision, and to respect the legal and judicial process of the country,” he said earlier today.

PPBM, Umno and PAS have all called for Putrajaya to appeal the High Court’s decision but this was met by objection by Christian organisations as well as Sabah and Sarawak leaders who said the federal government should not appeal the decision.

Commenting on the calls for the federal government to refer the decision to the Court of Appeal, Kitingan said it was up to Putrajaya to decide.

“For me, Umno and PAS have a right to their opinions. At the same time, they should also respect the court’s decision,” he said.

Towards this end, he said as a government of a multicultural and multireligious society, the Sabah government would concentrate its energy on the economic growth of the state and ensure its image as an inclusive and united nation remained intact.

“In Sabah, we have always been united and respectful towards one another regardless of our religious and racial background.

“There has never been a problem with non-Muslims using Arabic words in their worship even before this landmark ruling,” Kitingan said. - FMT