Politicians should not play up "kalimah Allah" issue - Dr Chua

Former MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the stand taken by politicians from both sides of the political divide on the usage of the word "Allah".

He said the usage of the term "Allah" had not been an issue since independence until of late, and the public was aware that the word was used by non-Muslims in many parts of the world.

"However, in Malaysia, one should look at the local perspective as a multireligious society and the sensitivities of Muslims in the country. "

"We are also aware that the 'kalimah Allah' is challenged in court and the court can only decide on the legal aspect of it," he said in a statement, here, Tuesday.

"Democracy requires the rule of law and respect and at the same time there should be no tyranny of the majority," he added. O

n Dec 27 last year, Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Catholic weekly, 'Herald', said that Catholic churches in Selangor would continue using the word "Allah" during its weekly service using the Malay language even though the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) had sent a reminder on the ban on

using the word by non-Muslims.

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who is the head of Islam in Selangor, renewed his decree in November last year after a discussion with the Selangor Royal Council, where it was decided that Selangor citizens should abide by the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, which is enforceable regardless of one's religion.

"Since Jais is under the state government, Pakatan Rakyat is fully accountable for Jais' raid and should not push the issue to the police or prime minister's office," Dr Chua said.

On the plan by three DAP Selangor assemblymen, Yeo Bee Yin (Damansara Utama), Rajiv Rishyakaran (Bukit Gasing) and Lau Weng San (Kampung Tunku) to call for the enactment to be amended during the Selangor state assembly session, Dr Chua said the action was only a red herring that would cause more problems than solving them.

"One should not use religious matters as a way to score political mileage.

"If Jais's action tantamounts to abuse of power, the state government should take action then," he said.

He urged all Malaysians from different religious backgrounds to take responsibility in upholding the rule of law and to take into consideration the sensitivities of different groups.

"There is no need to push the boundary. One should not be a hero at the expense of the other communities, only then can Malaysians continue to live in peace and harmony," he said.