By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, March 10: A Sarawakian lawmaker is hopeful that following the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s ruling today allowing the use of the word “Allah” in the Bible, there will be no more threats to burn Bibles in the Bahasa Malaysia language.
Marudi assemblyman Datuk Penguang Manggil welcomed the decision and hoped that all authorities concerned will abide by it.
“I hope the Court’s ruling will be abided by by all relevant authorities and (they will) return the Bahasa Malaysia Bibles retained, if there is any and that there will be no more (threats of) burning of the Bible,” Penguang told DayakDaily.
Penguang who is also the Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister hoped such a decision would also put to rest all uncertainties with regards to the issue.
“In Sarawak, we have no issue with regards to the use of the word ‘Allah’ in Christian worship and the Bahasa Malaysia Bible as long as I can remember.
“However, since it is an issue in Peninsular Malaysia, I believe the decision re-affirms Christians’ rights to use the word ‘Allah’.
“By this Court’s ruling, I also hope it will put all suspicion and any uncertainties to rest,” said Penguang.
He reiterated that even though the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawakians enjoy the right of freedom of worship where they may practise any faith they choose.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled today that the non-Muslim community may use the word ‘Allah’ in their preaching and publications.
The High Court said the community can also use the words ‘Baitullah’, ‘Kaabah’ and ‘solat’ for teaching purposes, which the government has banned for 35 years.
The landmark decision was made by Court of Appeal judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, who sat as a High Court judge.
She allowed the judicial review by a Christian woman from Sarawak, Jill Ireland, to practise her constitutional right and religion freely in this country. — DayakDaily
