PM’s department to appeal against “Allah” decision

(Bernama) — The Prime Minister’s Department, with the cooperation of the Home Ministry, will appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision in allowing the Catholic weekly magazine, Herald, to use the word “Allah” in its publication.

Its minister, Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom, in advising Muslims and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to be calm and respect the court’s decision, said they should be patient and allow the matter to be resolved through the legal process.

“I’ll meet the NGOs soon to hear their views and to discuss further the matter with them,” he said in a statement today.

He was responding to the High Court decision on Thursday in allowing the Catholic weekly to use the word “Allah.”

Judge Datuk Lau Bee Lian had ruled that usage of the word was constitutional as long as the periodical was confined to educate the followers of the Christian faith.

On Feb 16 last year, Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam filed for a judicial review on the usage of the word “Allah” in the church’s publications, naming the Home Ministry and the government as respondents.

He claimed that the word ‘Allah’ was not exclusive to the religion of Islam.