MELAKA: The use of the word "Allah" by Christians for the publication of religious materials for educational purposes is only limited to Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that the matter had already been addressed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail earlier today.
He reiterated the government's stance that it remained committed to defend and protect the interests of Islam, the Malays and the institution of the King, particularly in the issue of the use of the word Allah in accordance with Article 11(1) and Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution.
"Sarawak, we understand that it is not bound by the decisions of the states, it cannot be applied in Melaka, Penang and Selangor, it cannot.
"This (the use of the word Allah) is specific to Sarawak which we have lost in the initial case because in Sarawak, it was decided by the state as such," he said when met during Hari Raya Aidilfitri Madani celebration organised by Pertubuhan Prihatin Anak Melaka and police in Tanjung Minyak here today.
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, and Melaka police chief Datuk Zainol Samah.
The government withdrew its appeal over the High Court's ruling which allows non-Muslims to use the word Allah and three other words for teaching purposes. The other words are 'kaabah', 'solat' and 'baitullah'.
On March 21, 2021, Court of Appeal judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as a High Court judge, made the ruling after a 13-year legal battle between the government and Jill Ireland, a Christian woman from Sarawak.
Nor Bee described the Home Ministry's directive to prohibit the use of the four words by non-Muslims 35 years ago as "illegal" and "irrational". She said the government directive was issued beyond the aim of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA).
The government was criticised for withdrawing the appeal.
Earlier today, Saifuddin said the government's decision to withdraw the appeal now paved the way for the ministry to study and update a new and more holistic administrative order.