Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim indicated today that his government will be sticking to the status quo regarding non-Muslims’ use of the word Allah.
In a statement, he said the cabinet “respects, acknowledges and adheres” to the state enactments and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's decree on Feb 7 calling for existing policy on the use of the word Allah to be maintained.
There are no news reports on the king's decree on Feb 7, however, most state Islamic laws prohibit the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims.
Anwar added that the cabinet has also received consent from the Agong to present proposals on enforcement regarding the word Allah to the Conference of Rulers while also strengthening unity, peace and harmony between races and religions in the country.
"The government will always uphold the Federal Constitution especially Article 3 regarding Islam as the religion of the Federation, and that other faiths can be practised in peace," he also said.
The prime minister's statement comes after news broke on Monday that the government had withdrawn its appeal on the Jill Ireland case.
In the case, a judge ruled that the Melanau Christian has the right to use the word “Allah” for religious and educational purposes.
In her judgment on the case, Judge Nor Bee Ariffin said the Home Ministry's directive dated Dec 5, 1986 - banning the use of "Allah", "Kaabah", "Baitullah", and "Solat" by non-Muslims - has no statutory backing and is therefore illegal and irrational.
She said it also went beyond what the cabinet had in mind that year when mulling a list of Bahasa Malaysia words that can and cannot be used by Christians.
The decision to withdraw the government's appeal on the matter triggered a backlash from the opposition and conservative groups.
Anwar said the cabinet discussed the matter today, and understood that the decision to withdraw was merely administrative and does not override the Federal Court's position in 2014.
This is believed to be in reference to the Federal Court decision in 2014 to reject leave for the Catholic Church to appeal a Court of Appeal decision prohibiting its weekly, Herald newsletter from using the word Allah.
One notable ruling by the Federal Court then, however, was that the Court of Appeal's ruling on theological matters was mere "obiter" - meaning a passing comment that is not considered binding to the courts. - Mkini
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