"I was made into the scapegoat for the ' Allah' issue - Aziz Bari
Perak DAP Vice Chairman, Dr Abdul Aziz Bari - FILEPIC
According to him, the accusation made by PAS Secretary General, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan in Parliament was aimed at confusing the public while the decision on the issue was made by the court.
"I was made into a scape goat regarding the matter," he told reporters during a press conference at the Dewan Media Conference Room. during the Perak State Assembly (DUN), here on Thursday.
The Tebing Tinggi Assemblyman explained that the affidavit given was only a personal opinion in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution after being requested by a lawyer.
"Actually that is the decision of the High Court, I am not sure and do not know why I was targeted by Takiyuddin. I only gave the affidavit requested by the lawyer who handled the case.
"The case was decided by the judge in the High Court, its not me who decided. So why don't you dare to criticize the decision of the High Court.
"Why is it me and my party that has nothing to do with this that is being targeted," he said
Abdul Aziz said, the views presented were from the perspective of the right to freedom of religion and the Bible are not to be disseminated to the public only to Christians in Sarawak.
According to him, the Federal Constitution clearly allows people in this country to practice their respective religions without any hindrance.
He said, the issue of the word 'Allah' is now seen to be deliberately raised to be used as political warfare ahead of the upcoming state elections.
Recently, a video of a press conference by Takiyuddin went viral mentioning the names of Abdul Aziz, Bangi Member of Parliament, Syahredzan Johan and Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission (SPR) Dr Azmi Sharom.
Earlier this month the Home Ministry and the government withdrew their appeal against the High Court's decision, which ruled that Christians can use the word 'allah' and three other Arabic words in the publication of their religious materials for learning purposes.
The High Court's decision was made on March 10 2021 after allowing a judicial review application by a Christian woman, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, who sought a declaration of her Constitutional rights regarding the use of the word 'Allah' in religious publications
