TWO Muslim groups have lambasted the government for withdrawing its appeal to the court to prevent non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” to describe God  in Malaysia.

Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, the president of the Federal Territories Shariah Lawyers’ Council, expressed its members’ disappointment at Putrajaya’s decision to withdraw its appeal on the case. 

“A full explanation needs to be given in relation to this action by the government on why there is a difference in actions that the Muslim community is not informed about.

“We also request an explanation as to whether the Islamic Religious Councils of Selangor, the Federal Territory and Kedah – who have been given the right by the court to be amicus curae (friends of the court) in this case – were consulted before any action is taken by the government,” Zainul said in a statement today. 

Earlier today, it was reported that Putrajaya had withdrawn its appeal to the court to prevent non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” to describe God in Malaysia.

The notice of discontinuance was filed on April 18 by the senior federal counsel representing the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Zainul added that Putrajaya’s decision to withdraw its bid, allowing non-Muslims to use the word ‘Allah’, contradicts Selangor law, which prohibits the usage of the word. 

He also alleged that the decision by the government undermined the power of the Selangor sultan. 

“In Selangor, for example, there is a state law that prevents the use of certain words, including the word ‘Allah’, which had been approved by the Selangor legislative assembly and by the Sultan of Selangor. 

“As the state’s religious council head – enshrined in article 3 of the Federal Constitution and the discretionary power as head of state for religion in the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution – this unilateral withdrawal has affected the power of the Sultan of Selangor in particular,” Zainul added. 

He also said the action was not in line with another previous court ruling in the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur case that it did not have the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in its newspaper “Herald – The Catholic Weekly”.

He also alleged there are reports suggesting “some parties” had urged the government to withdraw the appeal. 

Meanwhile, Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (Pembela) expressed its regret over the unilateral decision taken by the government without consulting key stakeholders prior to withdrawing the case. 

“The government’s unilateral action was made without consulting key stakeholders such as the Council of Rulers, the state Islamic religious councils and Islamic stakeholders in the country.

“Thus, this is an extreme, disrespectful and barbaric action to institutions that are higher than the executive branch,” Pembela, an alliance of Malay Muslim civil society groups, said today. 

The government does not care about the rights and sanctity of Islam, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and does not protect the interests of the Muslim majority in this country, it added. 

The group also expressed disappointment at the Muslim members of parliament for keeping silent on the withdrawal. 

It urged all Muslim lawmakers in the government and the opposition to exert appropriate pressure so withdrawal of the case is reversed. 

“The Muslim MPs’ failure to urge the prime minister to call off the withdrawal of the appeal should be considered a major folly in defending the national religion.

“It should be followed up with proper action by the party that failed to carry out the duties they have been entrusted with,” it said. – May 15, 2023.