Ban on non-Muslims using the word Allah in Peninsular remains, says Anwar

IPOH - The issue of using the word Allah does not require debate since it does not entail any changes to existing policies.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the ban on the use of the word by non-Muslims will continue to be enforced in Peninsular Malaysia.

"This is the decision of the muftis and the Malay Rulers, there is no change. So the uproar is because of objections from individuals in Sarawak because Sabah and Sarawak are allowed under certain conditions.

"There are some tribes in Sarawak who have been using the word for hundreds of years," he said when speaking at the Friendly Meeting with the Tambun Mosque and Surau Committee members at the Saidina Abu Bakar Hall, Perak Institute of Islamic Governance here on Thursday.

Anwar, the Tambun MP said the proposal to be presented at the Conference of Rulers seeks to streamline rules that are ambiguous from different perspectives.

"We are studying to streamline but not change the decision that the word Allah for Muslims in the Peninsula, in Sabah and Sarawak is allowed with conditions.

"That's what we maintain, why do we want to make a fuss? I don't understand what's wrong. Some say Anwar is liberal, bows to DAP, wants to destroy the faith of Muslims.

"For that reason, the Cabinet wants to tidy up two or three loose matters by seeking the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to be presented at the next Conference of Rulers," he said.

Sinar Harian reported that the Council of Ministers received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to present proposals to strengthen the enforcement of the policy regarding the word Allah to the Conference of Rulers.

Anwar said in a statement that the move was to resolve the issue of the use of the word Allah in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

This follows the decision of the Attorney General's Chambers to withdraw the appeal against the Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill case on the publication material containing the word Allah only revolved around administrative matters and did not change the ruling of the Federal Court in 2014.