KUCHING, March 22: Michael Kong, a special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen expressed concerns that a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP did not publicly denounce Putrajaya’s decision to appeal the recent High Court decision allowing non-Muslims to use the word “Allah”.
Kong in a press statement today alleged that GPS MP for Kapit Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi who is also Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister seemingly agreed with the appeal.
“It is worrying that Alexander Nanta Linggi, as a GPS member who is part of the Federal Cabinet, is not publicly denouncing the decision to appeal the High Court’s decision.
“Not only that, it seems that the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is agreeable to pursue the appeal since there is a right to appeal,” said Kong.
According to Nanta, as far as Sarawak is concerned, it is clear that the recent High Court’s decision on allowing non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” for religious and educational purposes is not an issue in the state.
Apart from that, Nanta noted the federal government has the right to appeal to overturn the High Court’s decision.
To Kong, Nanta’s statement showed that GPS is insensitive towards the concerns of the general public.
“This is how the PN (Perikatan Nasional) government wants to stifle public opinion. They first tried to stop us from talking about Covid-19 and the Proclamation of Emergency on the pretext of ‘fake news’.
“Now they are even trying to stop us from speaking out on this ‘Allah’ issue on the pretext that it is all part of the political agenda of opposition parties,” Kong alleged.
He said there was no doubt Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s clarification confirms that ‘Allah’ may be used in Christian publications in Sarawak.
“However, GPS cannot conveniently feign ignorance that the directive for such prohibition was issued by the Home Ministry of the federal government and therefore is obviously applicable in Sarawak. Similarly, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 is applicable in Sarawak also.
“With such an express prohibition, GPS should use its position to actively ensure the appeal against our fellow Sarawakian is withdrawn by the federal government so that there is no ambiguity,” said Kong. — DayakDaily
