DATUK Seri Azalina Othman Said said UMNO ministers are scheduled to address the issue of the Home Ministry’s decision to withdraw its appeal against a High Court judgement allowing Christians nationwide to use the word “Allah” for religious education purposes at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.
Azalina, who is also UMNO information chief, stressed that the application of the phrase must be handled with caution as it involved religious sensitivities and the right to religious practices.
“More in-depth scrutiny is needed to handle this matter fairly for all parties involved. A comprehensive solution must be discussed and agreed on, including from a legal and non-legal perspective,” the Pengerang MP said in a statement on Facebook today (May 16).
“UMNO will continue to defend Islam as the official religion of the federation while respecting the right to practice other religions, as outlined in the Federal Constitution.”
It was reported on Monday (May 15) that the Attorney-General’s Chambers, representing the Home Ministry, had notified the appellate court on April 18 that it had decided not to proceed with its appeal.
On March 10, 2021, Court of Appeal judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, serving as a high court judge, granted Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, a Sarawakian Christian, a judicial review application on the case.
The ruling rendered invalid a circular issued by the Home Ministry against the use of the word “Allah” by Christian publications in the country.
The judgement also permits the use of the words “Baitullah”, “Kaabah”, and “solat”.
Jill Ireland’s legal challenge started shortly after the government seized eight educational compact discs from her containing the word “Allah” at an airport in 2008, upon her return from Indonesia.
Following years of legal battle, Malaysia’s courts declared in 2014 that the seizure was unlawful, and the CDs, which were for Jill Ireland’s personal use, were returned to her in 2015, seven years after the seizure.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry will review an administrative order it issued in 1986 on the usage of the word “Allah”, among others, by non-Muslims.
According to Saifuddin, the High Court had ruled two years ago that the government directive issued in 1986 went against the Cabinet decision made the same year.
“Therefore, the home ministry will review and update the order to make it more comprehensive to restrict the usage of the word “Baitullah”, “Kaabah”, and “solat”.
At a press conference today (May 16), Saifuddin mentioned that his department has started reviewing the administrative order early in the year but he did not indicate how long the review would take. – May 16, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Azalina Othman Said
