PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has agreed with a proposal to bring the “Allah” usage issue to the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) in August before it is taken to the Conference of Rulers in October.

Anwar said this today following his meeting with the Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also MKI chair.

“In the face-to-face session (with the sultan) today, I explained the position of the federal government, which respects the law in force in the states and the position of the Malay rulers, who act as state religious leaders in determining matters related to Islam at the state level, as well as the role of the Conference of Rulers in determining matters related to Islam at the federal level.

“After discussing with His Majesty the sultan of Selangor, I respect His Majesty’s view, which is in line with the decision of the cabinet last May that the issue of the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak is more suited to be streamlined and clarified by MKI, whose role is it to advise the Conference of Rulers,” Anwar said in a statement today.

“Accordingly, His Majesty agreed to bring this matter up for discussion in the council in August before it is brought before the Conference of Rulers’ consideration and scrutiny this October.

“I once again affirm the federal government’s position to ratify and adopt the existing policy that limits the use of the word ‘Allah’ to Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia and conditional permission of use for non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The government is also committed to streamlining the existing policy based on the Conference of Rulers’ decision, which will be upheld as the final policy with regard to the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in Malaysia,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Selangor sultan urged against politicising or debating the use of the word “Allah” pending the Conference of Rulers’ final decision on the matter.

He said this is to safeguard the country’s harmony and to guarantee the economic and social stability of Malaysia. – June 7, 2023.