PAS has lambasted UMNO over the decision by the unity government to withdraw its appeal against a High Court ruling on a Christian Sarawakian woman’s right to use the word “Allah” in her religious education.
This comes following a landmark decision handed down by the High Court on March 10, 2021 (during the administration of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) which ruled that Jill Ireland could use the word “Allah” in her religious education.
The Home Ministry appealed but on April 18 this year, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) informed the Court of Appeal that it did not wish to pursue the matter.
Commenting on the matter, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday (May 15) that he had notified the Cabinet of the matter several months ago.
Penang PAS information chief Razib Abdul Rahim slammed UMNO for its failure to uphold the supremacy of Islam as the national religion.
“Last weekend, we saw UMNO openly brought DAP (the long-time political enemy of the Malays) to the PWTC building (where the unity government convention was held) in addition to the indecency of Malaysian flags scattered on the floor,” berated PAS Penang information chief Razib Abdul Rahim.
“Today we are surprised by news of the Madani government having decided to withdraw the appeal against the court’s decision to allow a Christian woman to use the word Allah on April 18.”
Added Razib: “What has happened to UMNO today? After tricking the Malays into believing that the party would not want to collaborate with DAP and Anwar, UMNO is now emboldened to betray the principles of its struggle, including in the Kalimah Allah issue.”
He further questioned the role and lackadaisical attitude of UMNO leadership in the Cabinet in recent times.
“Is the UMNO leadership in government today no longer interested in fighting for the Malays and Islam after working with DAP and Anwar? Is this the price that UMNO leaders have to pay in order to maintain their power?” asked Razib.
“So, we know why they covered portraits of former UMNO presidents during last weekend’s programme. Now, the UMNO leadership is only fighting for power. They do not fight for Islam and Malays.”
Meanwhile, a veteran activist has applauded the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling.
This is given the decision respects the long-standing practices of the indigenous people in Sarawak, preserves racial and religious harmony, and upholds the secular nature of the court system, according to Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) deputy president Peter John Jaban.
“This issue has been causing discord for some time, tying up an indigenous Sarawakian in court for many years and also forcing the courts to decide ‘ownership’ of a word which has been used in good faith in East Malaysia for 400 years,” he said in a statement.
Jaban further noted that the 2021 decision brought joy to the Dayak Christian community in Sarawak and Sabah, where an estimated 2.6 million use the word “Allah” in sermons, hymns, prayers, public gatherings and literature.
“As the former Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem made clear nearly a decade ago, this has never been an issue in the state. It was made an issue in modern Malaysia,” he stressed.
“I hope they (the present government) will respect the religious freedom enshrined in our Federal Constitution and allow the Sarawakian Christians to continue in their peaceful worship”. – May 16, 2023
