Guan Eng cannot consider himself as head of state Islamic affairs

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was chided for considering himself as the 'head of Islamic affairs for the state' by declaring non-Muslims can use the word "Allah".

UMNO Supreme Council member, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had the authority to decide on matters involving religion (Islam), including the use of the word "Allah".

He said Lim's statement that non-Muslims can use the word "Allah" has a political motive and seen as an effort to cause tension among Muslims and non-Muslims.

"With the Sarawak election around the corner, Guan Eng is trying to become a hero...he is trying to garner support among the non-Muslims in Sarawak," he said after closing the Malaysian Carnival of Cooperatives Products & Services (Maccops) at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC), here Sunday.

He was commenting on a statement by the Penang CM which was published by a number of news portal, that non-Muslims could use the word "Allah" in Penang as the Administration of Religion of Islam (Penang) Enactment 2004 banning the use of the word could not be enforced on them since it applied to Muslims only.

Meanwhile, Penang Mufti Datuk Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said he would meet Guan Eng soon to explain and discuss the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in the state.

Dr Wan said the issue need not be raised anymore as the state Fatwa Council had gazetted the word "Allah" and 40 other words related to Islam, as forbidden for use by non-Muslims in Penang.