KOTA KINABALU – Sabah-based United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) is calling on all 56 MPs in East Malaysia and their parties to defend the high court’s ruling to allow non-Muslims to use the word “Allah”.
The party said Borneo-based parties must be prepared to cut ties with any party that has been irresponsibly fanning public discontent against the ruling.
“We must use our political clout to make sure the high court’s decision is not reversed. Borneo parties must not accept anti-Borneo Malayans as government partners.”
Upko leaders, led by president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, said this in a joint statement today in response to Umno Supreme Council’s dissatisfaction over the court’s decision recently.
Upko urges the federal government to not appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision, which declares the 1986 ban on non-Muslims’ use of the word “Allah” as unlawful and unconstitutional.
“The verdict is a restoration of the pre-1986 status quo, part of the original Malaysia promised to Sabah and Sarawak in 1963.
“This polemic has for decades hurt many Bornean and Orang Asli Christians, as well as their Muslim family and friends.”
Upko also appeals to Bersatu, Umno, PAS, PKR, Amanah, PBB, Warisan and Pejuang to explain to their bases that the court’s decision is not an encroachment on or a threat to Muslims. – The Vibes, March 13, 2021
