According to Berita Harian, Anwar maintained that the government was committed to defending and protecting the special position of Islam, the Malays and the royal institution as provided in the Federal Constitution.
“As we know, Sarawak is not tied down by the decisions of other states. Likewise, (the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims) is not applicable in (other states) like Melaka, Penang or Selangor,” he reportedly said.
Yesterday, the government decided to withdraw its appeal against a High Court ruling on a Sarawakian woman’s right to use the word “Allah” in her religious education.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), representing the home ministry, notified the Court of Appeal on April 18 that it did not wish to pursue the appeal.
On March 10, 2021, the High Court, in a landmark decision, ruled that Jill Ireland could use the word “Allah” for the purpose of religious education in Bahasa Malaysia and her native Melanau language in Sarawak.
Then High Court judge Justice Nor Bee Ariffin said a Dec 5, 1986 home ministry directive to prohibit the use of the words “Allah”, “Baitullah”, “Solat” and “Kaabah” by non-Muslims was illegal.
Last January, the Selangor, Kedah and Federal Territories’ religious councils were made amici curiae (friends of the court) after having withdrawn their applications to intervene in the government’s appeal.
In September 2021, the Johor Islamic religious council withdrew a similar application.
Earlier today, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry would review the administrative order it issued in 1986 on the use of the word “Allah”, among others, by non-Muslims.
He added that the government’s decision to not continue with its appeal was on a case-by-case basis and without prejudice.
Meanwhile, Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said called for a more “in-depth research” on the High Court ruling as the issue involved religious sensitivities. She said Umno ministers would raise the matter in tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.
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