PUTRAJAYA – An administrative order will be issued by the Home Ministry soon pertaining to the use of the word “Allah”, said Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He said it is not directly related to a court decision last month allowing Christians to use the word in their religious publications for educational purposes, which the government is currently appealing.
The administrative order will be issued through the powers provided to the minister under various related acts, including the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, he said.
Hamzah did not provide further details on the matter.
The order will be something that can be accepted by all quarters. We want religion to be a way of uniting everyone in this country. We don’t want this issue (on the use of the word ‘Allah’) to divide us.
“Since this is what we strive for, then certainly, there needs to be some tolerance, not only from the majority group, but from the minorities as well, who must see this as a convergence to unity among Malaysians.
“We need to find a way to reach an agreement when it comes to using the word ‘Allah’,” he said after a round-table discussion with several non-Muslim groups, as well as lawyers, academics and the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, to obtain their views on the matter today.
On March 10, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Christians can use the word “Allah”, as well as “Baitullah”, “Kaabah” and “solat”, in their educational publications.
This effectively renders invalid a circular issued by the Home Ministry against “Allah” being used in Christian publications.
The government filed an appeal on March 15, saying it is not satisfied with the ruling.
The authorities have long argued that allowing non-Muslims to use “Allah” can confuse and entice Muslims into leaving Islam.
Hamzah said the ongoing court proceedings will not affect the order to be issued, maintaining that it is done administratively, and adding that he intends to do it as soon as possible.
“Orders like these are issued from time to time, based on existing acts, and are administrative in nature. We are not going against the court; merely providing a clear guideline on the use of the word ‘Allah’.
“And, I don’t want to talk about the court case, because it is sub judice. That is up to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (to decide).”
The administrative order will take into consideration the contents of the federal constitution, as well as other state enactments, so as to avoid clashes, he said. – The Vibes, April 15, 2021
