The Pakatan Rakyat supremo calls for reasoned discourse on the subject following the ban on the use of the word in Catholic weekly, The Herald.
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar Ibrahim has called for calm following the Court of Appeal’s decision to ban the term ‘Allah’ from being used in Catholic weekly, The Herald.
The Permatang Pauh MP was responding to worldwide criticisms on the judgment, which law experts said had misplaced its priority by misinterpreting Article 3 and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
“A lot of people have expressed concern on the matter. Pakatan’s consensus is to call for calm and reasoned discourse on the subject and not condemn those who differ in views,” he said.
“Our collective stand on the issue remains the same as announced last year,” he added, refusing to elaborate further.
It is understood Pakatan stand is that the word ‘Allah’ should not be exclusive to Muslims as Christians and Jews are also allowed to use it, but the name should not be used in a wrong and irresponsible manner that could jeopardise racial and religious harmony.
Asked if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had met with opposition leaders to discuss the much-debated issue, Anwar said: “He (Najib) is not around.”
“Najib doesn’t seem to be around when it comes to controversial issues. This reflects the state of poor leadership in the country. It (Malaysia) needs a leader. The country is not on autopilot,” he added.
Misplaced priorities
On Monday, the Court of Appeal upheld an appeal from the government to bar The Herald, from referring to God as ‘Allah’ in its Malay edition.
The decision came under fire from various quarters, with the Malaysian Bar declaring the judgment had misplaced its priority by misinterpreting Article 3 and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
Its president Christopher Leong pointed out that the judgment only served to raise more confusion instead of upholding fundamental rights.
Earlier today, Umno supreme council member Saifudin Abdullah said that the ban was not a blanket ruling against all non-Muslims but was specific to The Herald.
He added the issue had become confusing with individuals issuing their own statements.
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar Ibrahim has called for calm following the Court of Appeal’s decision to ban the term ‘Allah’ from being used in Catholic weekly, The Herald.The Permatang Pauh MP was responding to worldwide criticisms on the judgment, which law experts said had misplaced its priority by misinterpreting Article 3 and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
“A lot of people have expressed concern on the matter. Pakatan’s consensus is to call for calm and reasoned discourse on the subject and not condemn those who differ in views,” he said.
“Our collective stand on the issue remains the same as announced last year,” he added, refusing to elaborate further.
It is understood Pakatan stand is that the word ‘Allah’ should not be exclusive to Muslims as Christians and Jews are also allowed to use it, but the name should not be used in a wrong and irresponsible manner that could jeopardise racial and religious harmony.
Asked if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had met with opposition leaders to discuss the much-debated issue, Anwar said: “He (Najib) is not around.”
“Najib doesn’t seem to be around when it comes to controversial issues. This reflects the state of poor leadership in the country. It (Malaysia) needs a leader. The country is not on autopilot,” he added.
Misplaced priorities
On Monday, the Court of Appeal upheld an appeal from the government to bar The Herald, from referring to God as ‘Allah’ in its Malay edition.
The decision came under fire from various quarters, with the Malaysian Bar declaring the judgment had misplaced its priority by misinterpreting Article 3 and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
Its president Christopher Leong pointed out that the judgment only served to raise more confusion instead of upholding fundamental rights.
Earlier today, Umno supreme council member Saifudin Abdullah said that the ban was not a blanket ruling against all non-Muslims but was specific to The Herald.
He added the issue had become confusing with individuals issuing their own statements.
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