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Told by who?
High Court: Najib-era 10-point solution could have solved ‘Allah’ controversy in 2011 if 1986 ban had been retracted | Malay Mail
An aerial view of the Kuala Lumpur High Court April 23, 2020. — Picture by Hari Anggara
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KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 ― The long drawn-out controversy over the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications could have been resolved if the Malaysian government had fully implemented its 10-point Solution in 2011 and dropped its 1986 ban on such use, the High Court said in its ruling in a Sarawakian Bumiputera Christian’s case.
–– ADVERTISEMENT ––
In this particular court case, Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Sarawakian native Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill of the Melanau tribe had filed a court challenge against the home minister and the Malaysian government, after eight educational compact discs ― containing the word “Allah” in the titles ―- for her personal use were seized by the government.
Jill Ireland had in her court case sought for Constitutional reliefs, including a declaration that the 1986 directive ― issued by the Home Ministry and which was used by the ministry to justify the seizure of her eight CDs ― was unconstitutional and unlawful.
While some Muslims in Malaysia believe “Allah”, the Arabic word for God, to be exclusive to Islam, it was adopted into the national language generations ago and used throughout by Malay-speaking Christians in the country, especially those living in Sabah and Sarawak.
The word is also part of terms referring to God in the indigenous languages of tribes in east Malaysia such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh and Kelabit.
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About the 1986 government directive
In the full grounds of the High Court’s March 10 judgment that was released this week, Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin examined the government’s 1986 written directive which had banned the use of four words ― including “Allah” ― in Christian publications.
The judge noted the government’s position in the court case that the 1986 directive was the then Cabinet’s decision which related to the government’s policy at that time to “avoid any confusion among the Muslims and Christian community which is likely to be prejudicial to public order and creating religious sensitivity amongst the Malaysians”.
About the 10-point solution
While ultimately finding the 1986 directive to be unlawful and unconstitutional due to reasons such as the home minister acting beyond his legal powers to issue the ban, the judge had also explored the 10-point solution that was provided by the Malaysian government in 2011 to the Christian community and which lawyers had raised during the High Court hearing of Jill Ireland’s case.
The judge was referring to the 10-point solution which was a collective decision by the Cabinet and which was announced on April 2, 2011, and set out in full by then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his April 11, 2011 letter to the Christian Federation of Malaysia.
The judge then summed up the 10-point solution as having “demonstrated the Cabinet’s acceptance and acknowledgment that the usage of the word ‘Allah’ is never an issue in Sabah and Sarawak and the Christians are allowed to use the word in the two states without restriction.”
The judge also highlighted that the 10-point solution had not attached any conditions to the importation and local printing of the Bible in all languages ― including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and indigenous languages ― in Sabah and Sarawak in recognition of the large Christian community in the two states.
At the same time, when it comes to Peninsular Malaysia and taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community there, the 10-point solution required the printing of the words “Christian publication” and the “cross” sign on the front covers of Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia that are imported or printed.
“By doing this, one will not be confused that this is a Christian publication,” the judge said when touching on the Cabinet’s solution of the labelling of Bibles in such languages when it comes to Peninsular Malaysia.
“I have reason to believe, premised on the submissions of both parties, that the 10 Point Solution is an all encompassing religious tolerance initiated by the Cabinet that may provide the solution to end the long standing religious controversy as there seems to me to be a consensus between the parties in resolving rather than entering into religious debates and polemic on the use of the word ‘Allah’,” the judge said in her 96-page judgment that was sighted by Malay Mail, referring to the submissions or arguments provided in court by lawyers who represented those involved in Jill Ireland’s case.
The judge, however, indicated that the then-federal government had failed to give full effect to the 10-point solution when it was announced in 2011, as it did not retract the 1986 government directive.
The 1986 directive had put a total ban on the word “Allah” in Christian publications, unlike the 2011 solution which allowed Christian publications with the word “Allah” for the Christian community’s use based on location-specific conditions.
“However, despite the strong commitment shown by the Cabinet, the impugned directive was allowed to remain and has never been withdrawn till to date.
“Even after nearly a decade following its announcement, the uncertainty continues as to whether the 10 Point Solution would ever be effectively implemented.
“If the Cabinet had withdrawn the impugned directive when the announcement on the 10 Point Solution was made, there would really be no serious dispute before this court anymore,” the judge said, referring to Jill Ireland’s court matter.
Malay Mail’s checks of the 10-point solution in Najib’s 2011 letter to the local Christian community showed the Cabinet’s collective decision as also allowing the importing and local printing of Bibles in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, and the indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang, as well as the Cabinet’s decision that there should be no restrictions for people bringing along their Bibles and Christian materials when travelling between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia in recognition that many travel between such locations.
Also as part of the 10-point solution, the Home Ministry’s secretary-general had issued a directive in the form of a memorandum dated April 8, 2011 to direct all civil servants to comply with the Cabinet decision, Malay Mail’s checks showed.
Public order not threatened in allowing Christians’ use
In the same High Court judgment released this week, Nor Bee indicated that the 1986 directive remains unlawful even after the 10-point solution was introduced, saying: “The 10 Point Solution certainly cannot remedy the illegality of the impugned directive.”
Saying that the 10-point solution has no force of law, the judge said the relevance of this 2011 Cabinet decision to Jill Ireland’s case was only to show that the 10-point solution did not come about because of any threats to public order.
Citing the same 2011 letter by then-prime minister Najib which outlined the 10-point solution, the judge noted that the Cabinet decision was instead made due to the government’s concern over the Home Ministry’s officers’ act then of impounding Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia, which the letter said had “triggered concerns and tensions within the country” and which had to be urgently addressed.
“There could not be any issue of public order or threat to public order if the Cabinet alone that have access to the necessary information on national security, have taken a much more liberal approach in manning the religious issues compared to the position previously taken as demonstrated in P.U (A) 134/1982,” the judge said when noting the 10-point solution as showing that there was no threat to public order.
PU (A) 134/1982 refers to a gazetted government order made by the Home Ministry in the year 1982 to prohibit the printing, publication or possession of Bibles in Bahasa Indonesia except when used in churches by Christians.
Among other things, the judge concluded that the available evidence as a whole showed that the government’s reliance on the issue of “public order” to justify the issuing of the 1986 government directive was irrational.
Earlier in the same judgment, the judge had noted that the government had also failed to provide any evidence to back its claim that the 1986 government directive was needed to avoid alleged confusion and “misunderstanding” if the common word “Allah” was used by both the Muslim and Christian communities.
But even before ruling that the 1986 government directive to ban the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications could not be justified by the reasons of preventing alleged confusion or misunderstanding that would allegedly disrupt public order, the judge had already listed out reasons why the 1986 directive was unlawful and unconstitutional.
This included reasons such as the home minister not having powers under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to issue the 1986 directive, and as the 1986 directive did not have statutory backing and was in conflict with the 1982 gazetted government order.
Among other things, the judge also highlighted how the 1986 directive by the Home Ministry ― which placed a total ban on the word “Allah” in Christian publications ― had changed the Cabinet’s May 1986 policy decision to only place a conditional ban on such usage.
The Cabinet had decided that the word could be used in Christian publications if Untuk Agama Kristian was specified on the publication’s cover page.
Other than declaring the government directive issued by the Home Ministry’s publication control’s division via a circular dated December 5, 1986 as unlawful and unconstitutional, the High Court in the same March 10 judgment also granted two constitutional declarations sought by Jill Ireland.
This included a declaration that it is Jill Ireland’s constitutional right under the Federal Constitution’s Article 3, 8, 11 and 12 to import the publications ― in the form of the eight CDs for her personal use ― in exercise of her rights to practise religion and right to education.
The remaining order was a declaration under the Federal Constitution’s Article 8 that Jill Ireland is guaranteed equality of all persons before the law and is protected from discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion in the administration of the law ― specifically the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Customs Act 1967.
Following the High Court’s decision, the government and the home minister have since filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
On March 18, former minister Baru Bian disclosed that Jill Ireland’s court case could have been resolved out of court in the recent two years if the government had adopted a proposal to use an administrative resolution to amend the 1986 directive to incorporate the 10-point solution.
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KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 ― The long drawn-out controversy over the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications could have been resolved if the Malaysian government had fully implemented its 10-point Solution in 2011 and dropped its 1986 ban on such use, the High Court said in its ruling in a Sarawakian Bumiputera Christian’s case.
–– ADVERTISEMENT ––
In this particular court case, Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Sarawakian native Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill of the Melanau tribe had filed a court challenge against the home minister and the Malaysian government, after eight educational compact discs ― containing the word “Allah” in the titles ―- for her personal use were seized by the government.
Jill Ireland had in her court case sought for Constitutional reliefs, including a declaration that the 1986 directive ― issued by the Home Ministry and which was used by the ministry to justify the seizure of her eight CDs ― was unconstitutional and unlawful.
While some Muslims in Malaysia believe “Allah”, the Arabic word for God, to be exclusive to Islam, it was adopted into the national language generations ago and used throughout by Malay-speaking Christians in the country, especially those living in Sabah and Sarawak.
The word is also part of terms referring to God in the indigenous languages of tribes in east Malaysia such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh and Kelabit.
ADVERTISING
About the 1986 government directive
In the full grounds of the High Court’s March 10 judgment that was released this week, Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin examined the government’s 1986 written directive which had banned the use of four words ― including “Allah” ― in Christian publications.
The judge noted the government’s position in the court case that the 1986 directive was the then Cabinet’s decision which related to the government’s policy at that time to “avoid any confusion among the Muslims and Christian community which is likely to be prejudicial to public order and creating religious sensitivity amongst the Malaysians”.
About the 10-point solution
While ultimately finding the 1986 directive to be unlawful and unconstitutional due to reasons such as the home minister acting beyond his legal powers to issue the ban, the judge had also explored the 10-point solution that was provided by the Malaysian government in 2011 to the Christian community and which lawyers had raised during the High Court hearing of Jill Ireland’s case.
The judge was referring to the 10-point solution which was a collective decision by the Cabinet and which was announced on April 2, 2011, and set out in full by then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his April 11, 2011 letter to the Christian Federation of Malaysia.
The judge then summed up the 10-point solution as having “demonstrated the Cabinet’s acceptance and acknowledgment that the usage of the word ‘Allah’ is never an issue in Sabah and Sarawak and the Christians are allowed to use the word in the two states without restriction.”
The judge also highlighted that the 10-point solution had not attached any conditions to the importation and local printing of the Bible in all languages ― including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and indigenous languages ― in Sabah and Sarawak in recognition of the large Christian community in the two states.
At the same time, when it comes to Peninsular Malaysia and taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community there, the 10-point solution required the printing of the words “Christian publication” and the “cross” sign on the front covers of Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia that are imported or printed.
“By doing this, one will not be confused that this is a Christian publication,” the judge said when touching on the Cabinet’s solution of the labelling of Bibles in such languages when it comes to Peninsular Malaysia.
“I have reason to believe, premised on the submissions of both parties, that the 10 Point Solution is an all encompassing religious tolerance initiated by the Cabinet that may provide the solution to end the long standing religious controversy as there seems to me to be a consensus between the parties in resolving rather than entering into religious debates and polemic on the use of the word ‘Allah’,” the judge said in her 96-page judgment that was sighted by Malay Mail, referring to the submissions or arguments provided in court by lawyers who represented those involved in Jill Ireland’s case.
The judge, however, indicated that the then-federal government had failed to give full effect to the 10-point solution when it was announced in 2011, as it did not retract the 1986 government directive.
The 1986 directive had put a total ban on the word “Allah” in Christian publications, unlike the 2011 solution which allowed Christian publications with the word “Allah” for the Christian community’s use based on location-specific conditions.
“However, despite the strong commitment shown by the Cabinet, the impugned directive was allowed to remain and has never been withdrawn till to date.
“Even after nearly a decade following its announcement, the uncertainty continues as to whether the 10 Point Solution would ever be effectively implemented.
“If the Cabinet had withdrawn the impugned directive when the announcement on the 10 Point Solution was made, there would really be no serious dispute before this court anymore,” the judge said, referring to Jill Ireland’s court matter.
Malay Mail’s checks of the 10-point solution in Najib’s 2011 letter to the local Christian community showed the Cabinet’s collective decision as also allowing the importing and local printing of Bibles in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, and the indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang, as well as the Cabinet’s decision that there should be no restrictions for people bringing along their Bibles and Christian materials when travelling between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia in recognition that many travel between such locations.
Also as part of the 10-point solution, the Home Ministry’s secretary-general had issued a directive in the form of a memorandum dated April 8, 2011 to direct all civil servants to comply with the Cabinet decision, Malay Mail’s checks showed.
Public order not threatened in allowing Christians’ use
In the same High Court judgment released this week, Nor Bee indicated that the 1986 directive remains unlawful even after the 10-point solution was introduced, saying: “The 10 Point Solution certainly cannot remedy the illegality of the impugned directive.”
Saying that the 10-point solution has no force of law, the judge said the relevance of this 2011 Cabinet decision to Jill Ireland’s case was only to show that the 10-point solution did not come about because of any threats to public order.
Citing the same 2011 letter by then-prime minister Najib which outlined the 10-point solution, the judge noted that the Cabinet decision was instead made due to the government’s concern over the Home Ministry’s officers’ act then of impounding Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia, which the letter said had “triggered concerns and tensions within the country” and which had to be urgently addressed.
“There could not be any issue of public order or threat to public order if the Cabinet alone that have access to the necessary information on national security, have taken a much more liberal approach in manning the religious issues compared to the position previously taken as demonstrated in P.U (A) 134/1982,” the judge said when noting the 10-point solution as showing that there was no threat to public order.
PU (A) 134/1982 refers to a gazetted government order made by the Home Ministry in the year 1982 to prohibit the printing, publication or possession of Bibles in Bahasa Indonesia except when used in churches by Christians.
Among other things, the judge concluded that the available evidence as a whole showed that the government’s reliance on the issue of “public order” to justify the issuing of the 1986 government directive was irrational.
Earlier in the same judgment, the judge had noted that the government had also failed to provide any evidence to back its claim that the 1986 government directive was needed to avoid alleged confusion and “misunderstanding” if the common word “Allah” was used by both the Muslim and Christian communities.
But even before ruling that the 1986 government directive to ban the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications could not be justified by the reasons of preventing alleged confusion or misunderstanding that would allegedly disrupt public order, the judge had already listed out reasons why the 1986 directive was unlawful and unconstitutional.
This included reasons such as the home minister not having powers under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to issue the 1986 directive, and as the 1986 directive did not have statutory backing and was in conflict with the 1982 gazetted government order.
Among other things, the judge also highlighted how the 1986 directive by the Home Ministry ― which placed a total ban on the word “Allah” in Christian publications ― had changed the Cabinet’s May 1986 policy decision to only place a conditional ban on such usage.
The Cabinet had decided that the word could be used in Christian publications if Untuk Agama Kristian was specified on the publication’s cover page.
Other than declaring the government directive issued by the Home Ministry’s publication control’s division via a circular dated December 5, 1986 as unlawful and unconstitutional, the High Court in the same March 10 judgment also granted two constitutional declarations sought by Jill Ireland.
This included a declaration that it is Jill Ireland’s constitutional right under the Federal Constitution’s Article 3, 8, 11 and 12 to import the publications ― in the form of the eight CDs for her personal use ― in exercise of her rights to practise religion and right to education.
The remaining order was a declaration under the Federal Constitution’s Article 8 that Jill Ireland is guaranteed equality of all persons before the law and is protected from discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion in the administration of the law ― specifically the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Customs Act 1967.
Following the High Court’s decision, the government and the home minister have since filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
On March 18, former minister Baru Bian disclosed that Jill Ireland’s court case could have been resolved out of court in the recent two years if the government had adopted a proposal to use an administrative resolution to amend the 1986 directive to incorporate the 10-point solution.
PBS urges Putrajaya to withdraw ‘Allah’ appeal, tells all parties to stop politicising issue | Malay Mail
.JPG "Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Parti Bersatu Sabah’s candidate for Kiulu, speaks while campaigning in Kiulu September 18, 2020. — Picture by Firdaus Latif")
Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Parti Bersatu Sabah’s candidate for Kiulu, speaks while campaigning in Kiulu September 18, 2020. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
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KOTA KINABALU, March 19 ― Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today urged Putrajaya to reconsider its appeal against the ruling allowing Christians to use the word ‘Allah’, saying that Christians in East Malaysia have always been free to use the word.
PBS secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the issue is nothing new and was sorted a decade ago with a 10-point Standard Operating Procedure for Christians in both east Malaysian states.
“There is no hindrance for Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to use the word ‘Allah’ in their religious practices. It is time for our fellow Christians in West Malaysia to also enjoy the similar privilege,” he said.
He added that PBS adopts the same position and stand as the Sarawak state government.
“We fully identify and concur with the position stated by them.
“PBS is also aware that this is also the unspoken stand of the GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) since even before independence and before we became part of Malaysia. We have always enjoyed peaceful co-existence with all Sabahans irrespective of their religious beliefs.
“We will continue to preserve this religious unity and harmony. PBS as a multiracial party has always adhered to this belief and stand. There is no need to politicise the issue and we need not be influenced by the tactics of the opposition,” said Bangkuai.
On March 10, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that the government directive via a December 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
This government directive was the one that banned the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications.
Since then, the federal government has appealed against the decision, a move that was lauded by Malay-based political parties but did not sit well on Sabah and Sarawakian parties.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on news you need to know.
KOTA KINABALU, March 19 ― Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today urged Putrajaya to reconsider its appeal against the ruling allowing Christians to use the word ‘Allah’, saying that Christians in East Malaysia have always been free to use the word.
PBS secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the issue is nothing new and was sorted a decade ago with a 10-point Standard Operating Procedure for Christians in both east Malaysian states.
“There is no hindrance for Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to use the word ‘Allah’ in their religious practices. It is time for our fellow Christians in West Malaysia to also enjoy the similar privilege,” he said.
He added that PBS adopts the same position and stand as the Sarawak state government.
“We fully identify and concur with the position stated by them.
“PBS is also aware that this is also the unspoken stand of the GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) since even before independence and before we became part of Malaysia. We have always enjoyed peaceful co-existence with all Sabahans irrespective of their religious beliefs.
“We will continue to preserve this religious unity and harmony. PBS as a multiracial party has always adhered to this belief and stand. There is no need to politicise the issue and we need not be influenced by the tactics of the opposition,” said Bangkuai.
On March 10, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that the government directive via a December 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
This government directive was the one that banned the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications.
Since then, the federal government has appealed against the decision, a move that was lauded by Malay-based political parties but did not sit well on Sabah and Sarawakian parties.
Don’t vilify Christians over ‘Allah’ ruling, groups say | Malay Mail
Group of Islamic non -governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered at the Sultan Sulaiman Club to discuss issues related to the use of the word 'Allah' on March 14, 2021. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
Group of Islamic non -governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered at the Sultan Sulaiman Club to discuss issues related to the use of the word 'Allah' on March 14, 2021. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
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KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 18 — A coalition of civil society groups said no party or individual should provoke and spread the unfounded fear that Christians using the word ‘Allah’ in their prayers would lead to widespread apostasy of Muslims in Malaysia.
Under the aegis of human rights group Pusat Komas, the 66 organisations said there was Muslim suspicion that Christians praying in Bahasa Malaysia and using “Allah”, the Arabic word for god, were part of deliberate attempts to convert them.
“In reality Christians who recite Allah in prayers are predominantly Sabahans, Sarawakians and Orang Asli,” they said in a statement.
The coalition pointed out that Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak, many of whom have Christians families and friends, are comfortable and not alarmed by Christians praying to Allah, as is the case with Muslims in Indonesia and the Arab world.
“That suspicion against Christians praying to Allah is actually a cultural shock experienced by Peninsular Muslims and the natural outcome of two phenomena.
“Firstly it is the success of the National Language Policy which reversed the decline of Bahasa Malaysia amongst natives in Borneo, and secondly the closer integration of East and West Malaysia as more Sabahans and Sarawakians migrate to the Peninsula for education and employment,” they said.
Due to this cultural shock, the coalition said the ban on universal use of the word Allah by the Federal Cabinet in 1986 stemmed from the Muslim community’s concerns that they were becoming the target of aggressive proselytisation.
It added that this is incidentally a common concern of all other religious communities in Malaysia.
“Underlying such cultural shock is the ignorance that Christians in Nusantara have been praying to Allah in Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Iban, Bahasa Bidayuh, Bahasa Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, and some other regional languages for as long as 476 years.
“The undisputed fact is that Muslims constitute near or more than 90 per cent of the population in Arab countries and Indonesia, even though Muslims and Christians have shared the word ‘Allah’ and other religious terms for 1,442 and 476 years respectively,” they said.
As such the High Court’s decision is restoring the pre-1986 status quo, as well as undoing a restriction on Sabah, Sarawak and Orang Asli Christians. This may be an unfounded threat felt by many Peninsular Muslims but not shared by Sabah and Sarawak Muslims.
“The High Court’s decision should be viewed positively for two grounds. Firstly it would strengthen Malaysia when Christians in Sabah and Sarawak can freely pray to Allah as their Christian cousins in Indonesian Kalimantan do.
“Secondly it is reaffirming the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language for all. We urge Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to withdraw the Government’s appeal against the High Court’s decision,” said the coalition.
It called upon both the government and rakyat to seize the High Court’s decision as the closure of the 35-year-old polemic since the Federal Cabinet’s decision to ban its universal use.
“All political parties should not exploit the High Court’s decision for narrow political mileage,” they said.
Earlier last Wednesday (March 10) the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that the government directive via a December 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Following this, an appeal was filed by Putrajaya on Friday (March 12) against the ruling, which was confirmed by Solicitor-General Datuk Abdul Razak Musa.
Group of Islamic non -governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered at the Sultan Sulaiman Club to discuss issues related to the use of the word 'Allah' on March 14, 2021. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
Group of Islamic non -governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered at the Sultan Sulaiman Club to discuss issues related to the use of the word 'Allah' on March 14, 2021. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
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KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 18 — A coalition of civil society groups said no party or individual should provoke and spread the unfounded fear that Christians using the word ‘Allah’ in their prayers would lead to widespread apostasy of Muslims in Malaysia.
Under the aegis of human rights group Pusat Komas, the 66 organisations said there was Muslim suspicion that Christians praying in Bahasa Malaysia and using “Allah”, the Arabic word for god, were part of deliberate attempts to convert them.
“In reality Christians who recite Allah in prayers are predominantly Sabahans, Sarawakians and Orang Asli,” they said in a statement.
The coalition pointed out that Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak, many of whom have Christians families and friends, are comfortable and not alarmed by Christians praying to Allah, as is the case with Muslims in Indonesia and the Arab world.
“That suspicion against Christians praying to Allah is actually a cultural shock experienced by Peninsular Muslims and the natural outcome of two phenomena.
“Firstly it is the success of the National Language Policy which reversed the decline of Bahasa Malaysia amongst natives in Borneo, and secondly the closer integration of East and West Malaysia as more Sabahans and Sarawakians migrate to the Peninsula for education and employment,” they said.
Due to this cultural shock, the coalition said the ban on universal use of the word Allah by the Federal Cabinet in 1986 stemmed from the Muslim community’s concerns that they were becoming the target of aggressive proselytisation.
It added that this is incidentally a common concern of all other religious communities in Malaysia.
“Underlying such cultural shock is the ignorance that Christians in Nusantara have been praying to Allah in Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Iban, Bahasa Bidayuh, Bahasa Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, and some other regional languages for as long as 476 years.
“The undisputed fact is that Muslims constitute near or more than 90 per cent of the population in Arab countries and Indonesia, even though Muslims and Christians have shared the word ‘Allah’ and other religious terms for 1,442 and 476 years respectively,” they said.
As such the High Court’s decision is restoring the pre-1986 status quo, as well as undoing a restriction on Sabah, Sarawak and Orang Asli Christians. This may be an unfounded threat felt by many Peninsular Muslims but not shared by Sabah and Sarawak Muslims.
“The High Court’s decision should be viewed positively for two grounds. Firstly it would strengthen Malaysia when Christians in Sabah and Sarawak can freely pray to Allah as their Christian cousins in Indonesian Kalimantan do.
“Secondly it is reaffirming the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language for all. We urge Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to withdraw the Government’s appeal against the High Court’s decision,” said the coalition.
It called upon both the government and rakyat to seize the High Court’s decision as the closure of the 35-year-old polemic since the Federal Cabinet’s decision to ban its universal use.
“All political parties should not exploit the High Court’s decision for narrow political mileage,” they said.
Earlier last Wednesday (March 10) the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that the government directive via a December 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Following this, an appeal was filed by Putrajaya on Friday (March 12) against the ruling, which was confirmed by Solicitor-General Datuk Abdul Razak Musa.
Many years ago I had stop having a real conversation or debate with these people. I realized that these people have a problem - the concept of reasoning is absent. They are unable to differentiate between right and wrong. Only their believe are right and the rest are wrong. Only by force they are able to listen.
That is the main reason why these countries could not progress even if they are blessed with riches ...
IQ and Race
This will give Muslims something to think about.
So u believe jesus die for ur sin? God die for his creation?
So u believe jesus die for ur sin? God die for his creation?
I only shared the video. It's not necessarily my belief.
Now y would u share somethg which u may not agree/believe?
I know this is something that's quite unfathomable for a simple Muslim such as yourself. Don't worry about it.
I know this is something that's quite unfathomable for a simple Muslim such as yourself. Don't worry about it.
So anythg tat badmouth Islam u will share. Even a video clip fm seow lang xtian David Wood fm IMH u also share. Fake false news also shared. Hahaha..comg fm a retard anti Malay/Muslim like u. My 10 yr nephew also can fathom.
Shafie: Perikatan politicising ‘Allah’ issue in ploy to gain Malay support | Malay Mail
Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Putrajaya‘s move to appeal the controversial High Court ruling, which effectively allows Christians to use the word ‘Allah’, is a political manoeuvre to gain favour among West Malaysia’s Malay Muslims. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
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KOTA KINABALU, March 23 — Sabah Opposition leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Putrajaya‘s move to appeal the controversial High Court ruling, which effectively allows Christians to use the word “Allah”, is a political manoeuvre to gain favour among West Malaysia’s Malay Muslims.
The Parti Warisan Sabah chief said it was purely a political manoeuvre by the embattled Perikatan National (PN) government ahead of the general election to gain more Malay votes.
“This is their move. They purposely orchestrated this to play games... They allowed the ruling and so then they can appeal it. The ploy is to get the credit and unite Malays, in time for Ramadan and Hari Raya,” he said.
Shafie said using religion to play to the crowd is a typical tactic of the PN government led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
“I can read these guys’ moves. I mean why the sudden appeal?”
“Muhyiddin was in the Cabinet along with me and Dompok. Nazri was then law minister.
He said, ‘This is not Sabah,’ and I said, ‘Wow, are we not in Malaysia?” said Shafie, referring to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
The Cabinet had discussed the issue during Barisan Nasional’s rule, and the stand at the time was that only non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak could use the word, and not those in the peninsula.
However, it became an issue as many Sabahans and Sarawakian living in peninsula Malaysia use the same materials and language.
Shafie said that he has been consistent in his stand that the word ‘Allah’ should be inclusive, with non-Muslims allowed to use it, but managed in order to prevent conflict and abuse.
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KOTA KINABALU, March 23 — Sabah Opposition leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Putrajaya‘s move to appeal the controversial High Court ruling, which effectively allows Christians to use the word “Allah”, is a political manoeuvre to gain favour among West Malaysia’s Malay Muslims.
The Parti Warisan Sabah chief said it was purely a political manoeuvre by the embattled Perikatan National (PN) government ahead of the general election to gain more Malay votes.
“This is their move. They purposely orchestrated this to play games... They allowed the ruling and so then they can appeal it. The ploy is to get the credit and unite Malays, in time for Ramadan and Hari Raya,” he said.
Shafie said using religion to play to the crowd is a typical tactic of the PN government led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
“I can read these guys’ moves. I mean why the sudden appeal?”
“Muhyiddin was in the Cabinet along with me and Dompok. Nazri was then law minister.
He said, ‘This is not Sabah,’ and I said, ‘Wow, are we not in Malaysia?” said Shafie, referring to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
The Cabinet had discussed the issue during Barisan Nasional’s rule, and the stand at the time was that only non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak could use the word, and not those in the peninsula.
However, it became an issue as many Sabahans and Sarawakian living in peninsula Malaysia use the same materials and language.
Shafie said that he has been consistent in his stand that the word ‘Allah’ should be inclusive, with non-Muslims allowed to use it, but managed in order to prevent conflict and abuse.
Selangor mufti supports Sultan’s decree on 'Allah' ruling | Malay Mail
Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah attends the 14th opening ceremony for the second term of Selangor State Assembly in Shah Alam in this file picture taken on March 18, 2019. ― Picture by Mukhriz Hazim
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SHAH ALAM, March 26 — The Selangor Mufti Department today expressed support for the decree by the Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor that the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the Bible or any printed books or writings of the Christian religion in any form remained prohibited in the state.
Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid said the word ‘Allah’ is a sacred word for the Muslims and can only be used to refer to the Almighty God, the Most-Perfect.
It is the responsibility of all Muslims to protect the sanctity of the term ‘Allah’ at all times in line with the Selangor Fatwa Committee Meeting’s decision on Feb 18, 2010, he said in a statement.
He said if there are elements of insult or misuse towards the term, then it should be prevented in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Mohd Tamyes said the meeting also stressed that the term ‘Allah’ could not be used to refer to God by religions aside from Islam.
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Therefore, Mohd Tamyes said Muslims should support every effort to prohibit the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in the wrong context, with the aim of curbing confusion in society.
He also urged Muslims, especially in Selangor to continue to protect the sanctity of the word ‘Allah’ from being misused by certain parties, especially in matters that could threaten the faith of Muslims.
“Muslims and non-Muslims must respect the decision that has been gazetted,” he said. — Bernama
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SHAH ALAM, March 26 — The Selangor Mufti Department today expressed support for the decree by the Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor that the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the Bible or any printed books or writings of the Christian religion in any form remained prohibited in the state.
Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid said the word ‘Allah’ is a sacred word for the Muslims and can only be used to refer to the Almighty God, the Most-Perfect.
It is the responsibility of all Muslims to protect the sanctity of the term ‘Allah’ at all times in line with the Selangor Fatwa Committee Meeting’s decision on Feb 18, 2010, he said in a statement.
He said if there are elements of insult or misuse towards the term, then it should be prevented in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Mohd Tamyes said the meeting also stressed that the term ‘Allah’ could not be used to refer to God by religions aside from Islam.
ADVERTISING
Therefore, Mohd Tamyes said Muslims should support every effort to prohibit the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in the wrong context, with the aim of curbing confusion in society.
He also urged Muslims, especially in Selangor to continue to protect the sanctity of the word ‘Allah’ from being misused by certain parties, especially in matters that could threaten the faith of Muslims.
“Muslims and non-Muslims must respect the decision that has been gazetted,” he said. — Bernama
All the fuss over some word. This problem van be traced back to 1986 when dr m, the PM and home ninister, banned the arabic words from being used by non muslims. Before that, there was no issue.
Dr m being master manipulator, probably used it to garner votes from PAS held territories.
Dr m being master manipulator, probably used it to garner votes from PAS held territories.
Sultan selangor snd selangor mufti can be charged for contempt of court.Selangor mufti supports Sultan’s decree on 'Allah' ruling | Malay Mail
Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah attends the 14th opening ceremony for the second term of Selangor State Assembly in Shah Alam in this file picture taken on March 18, 2019. ― Picture by Mukhriz Hazim
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SHAH ALAM, March 26 — The Selangor Mufti Department today expressed support for the decree by the Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor that the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the Bible or any printed books or writings of the Christian religion in any form remained prohibited in the state.
Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid said the word ‘Allah’ is a sacred word for the Muslims and can only be used to refer to the Almighty God, the Most-Perfect.
It is the responsibility of all Muslims to protect the sanctity of the term ‘Allah’ at all times in line with the Selangor Fatwa Committee Meeting’s decision on Feb 18, 2010, he said in a statement.
He said if there are elements of insult or misuse towards the term, then it should be prevented in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Mohd Tamyes said the meeting also stressed that the term ‘Allah’ could not be used to refer to God by religions aside from Islam.
ADVERTISING
Therefore, Mohd Tamyes said Muslims should support every effort to prohibit the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in the wrong context, with the aim of curbing confusion in society.
He also urged Muslims, especially in Selangor to continue to protect the sanctity of the word ‘Allah’ from being misused by certain parties, especially in matters that could threaten the faith of Muslims.
“Muslims and non-Muslims must respect the decision that has been gazetted,” he said. — Bernama
Why? They own the courts
It just shows wat m&ds are if they can get confused about a word
PM says ‘no comment’ when asked about ‘Allah’ case, claims sub judice | Malay Mail
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said it will be sub judice for him to comment on the federal government’s appeal against the KL High Court’s ruling that annulled a directive prohibiting Christians from using the word ‘Allah’ in their religious education and books. — Bernama pic
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said it will be sub judice for him to comment on the federal government’s appeal against the KL High Court’s ruling that annulled a directive prohibiting Christians from using the word ‘Allah’ in their religious education and books. — Bernama pic
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KUCHING, April 2 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declined to comment on the federal government’s appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s ruling that annulled a directive prohibiting Christians from using the word “Allah” in their religious education and books.
He said the case is now with the Court of Appeal so it will be sub judice for him to comment.
“So let’s wait for whatever is the result of the appeal,” he said when asked by reporters about the decision of the federal government to file the appeal.
He was speaking at a press conference after visiting the Sarawak General Hospital.
“The High Court has decided on the case and the (federal) Attorney-General has filed an appeal and we will leave it entirely up to the court to decide,” he stressed.
On March 10, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that the government directive via a December 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, granted three of the specific constitutional reliefs sought by Sarawakian Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill of the Melanau tribe.
Jill Ireland had previously challenged the government’s seizure of her eight educational compact discs (CDs) containing the word “Allah” in their titles and which were meant for her personal use.
The CDs were seized in 2008 based on the 1986 directive but were previously returned in 2015 to Jill Ireland following court orders.
The word “Allah” is Arabic for God and has been adopted into the Malay language, and has been used for generations by Malay-speaking Christians in the country, especially those living in Sabah and Sarawak.
The judge also granted three other orders, including a declaration that it is Jill Ireland’s constitutional right under the Federal Constitution’s Article 3, 8, 11, and 12 to import the publications in the exercise of her rights to practise religion and right to education.
The other two declarations granted by the judge were that a declaration under Article 8 that Jill Ireland is guaranteed equality of all persons before the law and is protected from discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion in the administration of the law ― specifically the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Customs Act 1967), and a declaration that government directive issued by the Home Ministry’s publication control’s division via a circular dated December 5, 1986, is unlawful and unconstitutional.
The Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Jill Ireland filed her lawsuit almost 13 years ago after the Home Ministry seized eight educational compact discs (CDs) containing the word “Allah” meant for her personal use at the Sepang LCCT airport upon her return from Indonesia.
Following the May 11, 2008 seizure, Jill Ireland filed for judicial review in August the same year against the home minister and the government of Malaysia.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said it will be sub judice for him to comment on the federal government’s appeal against the KL High Court’s ruling that annulled a directive prohibiting Christians from using the word ‘Allah’ in their religious education and books. — Bernama pic
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said it will be sub judice for him to comment on the federal government’s appeal against the KL High Court’s ruling that annulled a directive prohibiting Christians from using the word ‘Allah’ in their religious education and books. — Bernama pic
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KUCHING, April 2 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declined to comment on the federal government’s appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s ruling that annulled a directive prohibiting Christians from using the word “Allah” in their religious education and books.
He said the case is now with the Court of Appeal so it will be sub judice for him to comment.
“So let’s wait for whatever is the result of the appeal,” he said when asked by reporters about the decision of the federal government to file the appeal.
He was speaking at a press conference after visiting the Sarawak General Hospital.
“The High Court has decided on the case and the (federal) Attorney-General has filed an appeal and we will leave it entirely up to the court to decide,” he stressed.
On March 10, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that the government directive via a December 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, granted three of the specific constitutional reliefs sought by Sarawakian Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill of the Melanau tribe.
Jill Ireland had previously challenged the government’s seizure of her eight educational compact discs (CDs) containing the word “Allah” in their titles and which were meant for her personal use.
The CDs were seized in 2008 based on the 1986 directive but were previously returned in 2015 to Jill Ireland following court orders.
The word “Allah” is Arabic for God and has been adopted into the Malay language, and has been used for generations by Malay-speaking Christians in the country, especially those living in Sabah and Sarawak.
The judge also granted three other orders, including a declaration that it is Jill Ireland’s constitutional right under the Federal Constitution’s Article 3, 8, 11, and 12 to import the publications in the exercise of her rights to practise religion and right to education.
The other two declarations granted by the judge were that a declaration under Article 8 that Jill Ireland is guaranteed equality of all persons before the law and is protected from discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion in the administration of the law ― specifically the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Customs Act 1967), and a declaration that government directive issued by the Home Ministry’s publication control’s division via a circular dated December 5, 1986, is unlawful and unconstitutional.
The Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Jill Ireland filed her lawsuit almost 13 years ago after the Home Ministry seized eight educational compact discs (CDs) containing the word “Allah” meant for her personal use at the Sepang LCCT airport upon her return from Indonesia.
Following the May 11, 2008 seizure, Jill Ireland filed for judicial review in August the same year against the home minister and the government of Malaysia.
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