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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright May 2023
Allah will ultimately decide the outcome of forthcoming elections in six states on Peninsula Malaysia.
For Muslims, Allah decides on the fate of humans on earth but the use of the kalimah will probably be a basis on how many Malays will vote in state elections. It will be a hotly debated issue on campaign trails. Minister of Home Affairs is sure of his stand. Video clips on him justifying his decision has gone viral.
At the same time, PMX has announced that usage of kalimah Allah only applies to Sarawak. But Baru Bian ADUN Sarawak, immediately contradicted him saying that the High Court judgment allowing non-Muslims to use the word "Allah" in their religious education applies throughout the whole of Malaysia and not just in his state.
Hamzah of BERSATU reechoes what Baru Bian stated. Hamzah said Anwar's explanation that the court ruling was only applicable in Sarawak showed the prime minister was negligent and did not bother to examine the judgment.
However, he did not stop there. He raised other questions that would invariably become ammunition against the PH led government in coming elections. "The question is, why is it that the PH-BN coalition government suddenly does not want to allow the legal and judicial process based on the constitution?"
"Why was the legal and judicial process blocked and why did the home minister act without waiting for the Court of Appeal's decision first, as the issue of the term 'Allah' is extremely sensitive?"
That brings to mind what Muhyiddin reveals about a certain DAP minister who approached him to drop the case at the centre of the controversy during the first PH-led government when he was Minister of Home Affairs. Apparently, "there was a minister from DAP who had previously requested the government to settle the controversial case deliberating the usage of the word 'Allah' in Christian religious materials out of court."
Muhyiddin said, "I disagreed with this request because resolving the matter outside of court meant that the ministry would withdraw the order for the seizure of Christian religious material containing the word Allah. "Our position at that time was that this case must be decided by the court according to the legal process," he wrote, adding that the dissemination of such materials could distress and undermine public order and national security."
To refresh your memory the issue of the use of Allah is often referred to as the 'Jill Ireland case'. The appeal against the High Court ruling that allowed the word to be used in Sabah and Sarawak for educational purposes is recently withdrawn by the PH led government.
This has put PMX in the spotlight who has made plans for an audience with the Agong over the issue.
However, according to Muhyiddin, when the High Court granted Jill Ireland's application in 2021, the PN government under his premiership was of the opinion that the decision should be appealed to Court of Appeal.
Muhyiddin regrets the decision of the current government to withdraw the appeal in a case which will affect the sensitivities of Muslims and the public interest.
This will be more hotly debated at the grassroots when the election campaigns start.
To be fair to the current Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution, the contentious withdrawal was made following a discovery of a contradiction between a 1986 cabinet decision and the Home Ministry's administrative order. That the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision was based on a civil and administrative approach, which relates to the seizure of publication materials.
"And it was not from the theological aspect or anything that involved the use of the word Allah.Therefore, the function of the court itself was inappropriate in deciding affairs related specifically to religious matters. Therefore, in the March 21 judgment, it was clear the judge had made a decision based on an administrative approach and did not touch on the use of Allah," reasoned Saifuddin.
However, irrespective of what has transpired the issue has become controversial and a highly emotional one amongst politicians looking to discredit the government of the day.
For the grassroots who do not know the details surrounding the case, just the mention of kalimah Allah could and might be possibly used by non-Muslims is enough to arouse anger.
In sum, only Allah shall decide who wins the elections in the six states. But the usage of kalimah Allah is likely to be the main determinant that will sway voters. PN will definitely milk this issue fully to its own advantage.
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