By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Mar 16: A Sarawakian assemblyman holds that though the “Allah” case may not directly affect Sarawak but it will affect Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang said the usage of the word “Allah” has always been allowed in Sarawak and Sabah.
“There is no issue in Sarawak and Sabah. The issue is only affecting Peninsular Malaysia. However, there are many Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia. At the end of the day, we are still affected.
“That is why, I support the statement issued by the 22 MPs and four Senators. I wish to express my hope that the federal government will not pursue the case anymore but uphold the High Court decision,” said Christopher.
He stressed that Sarawakians and Sabahans must unite to uphold their rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution as it is the foundation of Malaysia as a country.
Christopher has thrown his support for the move taken by 22 MPs and four senators from Sarawak and Sabah to sign a collective appeal urging Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the federal government and the people of Malaysia to uphold Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision allowing non-Muslim to use the word “Allah”.
The 22 MPs and four senators from Sarawak and Sabah, from both political divides, have urged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the federal government and the people of Malaysia not to appeal against High Court’s verdict on the Allah case in a press statement yesterday.
Among the undersigned, 12 are MPs and two senators from Sarawak.
The MPs include Serian MP Dato’ Sri Richard Riot Jaem, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin, Julau MP Larry Sng, Selangau MP Baru Bian and Sri Aman MP Datuk Masir Kujat.
The rest of the six MPs are from Democratic Action Party and they are Mordi Bimol (Mas Gading), Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching), Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin), Wong Ling Biu (Sarikei), Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (Lanang) and Oscar Ling Chai Yew (Sibu), from the Senate, Robert Lau from SUPP and Alan Ling Sie Kwong from DAP also signed the statement to stress a clear stance in the issue.
Kuala Lumpur High Court had on Mar 10 decided that non-Muslim community may use the word “Allah” in their preaching and publications.
The High Court also decided that the community can use the words “Baitullah”, “Kaabah” and “solat” for teaching purposes which the Malaysian government has banned for 35 years.
Christians in Sarawak and Sabah received the decision in jubilation only to find out that their joy was short-lived when the federal government filed its appeal against the High Court’s decision yesterday. — DayakDaily
