'Karpal has no right to meddle in Syura Council's decision'

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh had no right to interfere in or dispute the decision of the PAS Ulama Syura Council on the use of the word "Allah" in the Malay language version of the Bible, said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"I have no intention of advising Karpal but the issue is not his field (of expertise, so he should not interfere in a subject matter which he is not knowledgeable," he told a news conference, here, today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Defence Minister, said this after launching the 1ACP programme and career portal, WWW.Kerjayaveteran.my.

He was commenting on a media report quoting Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor member of parliament, as asking the Pas Ulama Syura Council to review its decision not to allow the use of the "kalimah Allah" in the Bahasa Melayu version of the Bible and that it could only be used by Muslims to avoid confusion.

The Syura Council made the decision on the matter on Jan 13.

Ahmad Zahid said the "kalimah Allah" issue should not be politicised by any quarters in their attempt to garner votes in the upcoming general election.

He said the decision of the Pas Ulama Syura Council was the same at the National Fatwa Council's on the matter and was therefore, a religious ruling that could not be compromised.

The "kalimah Allah" issue arose again when Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in his Christmas message, urged the federal government to allow Christians to use the word "Allah" in the Malay language version of the Bible.