MELAKA – The court’s decision to give Christians the right to use the word “Allah” along with three other Arabic words in their religious publications is meant specifically for the state of Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the government and the Home Ministry had filed an appeal against the decision after losing the case.
“This is in the case of Sarawak only… the ruling is not applicable elsewhere like in Melaka, Penang or Selangor... we need to understand this,” he told reporters after an Aidilfitri celebration with the Royal Malaysia Police at Tanjung Minyak here today.
Yesterday, the Malaysian government and the Home Ministry withdrew their appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision which ruled that Christians can use the word “Allah” and three other Arabic words in religious materials published for educational purposes.
The notice regarding the termination of the appeal was filed on April 18. It stated that both appellants do not wish to proceed with the appeal submitted on March 12, 2021 and dismissed the entire appeal at the Court of Appeal without an order as to costs.
On March 10, 2021, the high court delivering its ruling after allowing a judicial review application filed by a Sarawakian Christian woman of Melanau descent, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill. – Bernama, May 16, 2023
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