Cops leaving 'Allah' issue to govt - IGP

 

Police will leave it to the federal government to address the “Allah” issue, according to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

“We leave this matter to the government to handle. I believe there will be a session to brief the Conference of Rulers on this matter,” Acryl told reporters during a door-stop interview after a hi-tea event with the media in Bukit Aman earlier this evening.

He said this when asked what is the police’s take on the matter since there had been conflicting interpretations over the impact of Putrajaya’s decision to withdraw its appeal against a High Court decision in 2021, which allowed the term “Allah” in non-Muslim contexts.

On March 10, 2021, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur allowed a judicial review by Jill 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 gave notice on April 18 this year that it would no longer pursue the appeal.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had defended the decision to withdraw the appeal, saying it only affected Sarawak, and added the government would present a proposal to the Conference of Rulers regarding enforcement on the use of the word “Allah”.

However, some including the opposition argued that the decision to withdraw the appeal in the case would cause confusion and threaten the position of Islam in the country.

The Selangor sultan had previously said the use of “Allah” and several other terms deemed exclusive to Islam by non-Muslims will continue to be banned in the state despite the High Court ruling.

Improving relationship with the press

Meanwhile, during today’s event, Acryl said the police will change its approach with the media to strengthen their relationship.

This followed complaints by several media practitioners who recently complained to the home minister that they had found it difficult to get police cooperation.

The top cop said Bukit Aman plans to do more engagement with the media going forward, including holding monthly media briefings.

Acryl said he used to be active in responding to media requests for comments and interviews but decided to only rely on issuing written statements after an incident when he was the deputy inspector-general of police.

According to him, a certain media agency had misreported what he said on a case and it had resulted in him being admonished by the public.

“Luckily there was a YouTube video to prove what I really said on the issue.

“But now, like what Arnold Schwarzenegger said in ‘Terminator’, ‘I'll be back’,” he said, referring to the plan to change his approach with the press. - Mkini