Understand the judgement, don't make unnecessary remarks - PPMM

The public should read and understand the judgement of the Court of Appeal on the Kalimah Allah issue in the sense in which it was given and not make unnecessary remarks.

Malaysian Muslim Lawyer's Association (PPMM) president Datuk Zainur Rijal Abu Bakar said those unwanted comments could lead to confusion or bordering contempt.

As far as this Court of Appeal's decision is concerned, PPMM is of the view that the decision goes as far as prohibiting the Archbishop from using the word Allah in Herald - The Catholic Weekly publication, and nothing beyond that, he said in a statement today.

The association was also of the view that it would be a misconception on the part of any sections of the public, locally or internationally to deem that the court's decision has in any way put a blanket prohibition on any section of the non-Muslim community in Malaysia from using the word Allah.

"However, a careful reading of the said judgements will also show that all members of the Malaysian community were allowed to use the word Allah in the sense of the Quranic or Islamic reference to God," he said.

The Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision Monday, allowed an appeal by the government to set aside a decision of the High Court in 2009 allowing The Herald to use the word "Allah" in reference to God in its Malay-language publication.