By Olivia Miwil - March 19, 2021 @ 8:06pm
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has called on the federal government to reconsider its move to appeal against a High Court decision over the usage of the word 'Allah'.
Its secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the issue was nothing new and that it has been sorted out in the case of Sabah and Sarawak since a decade ago with the so-called Idris Jala 10-point standard operating procedures for Christians in both East Malaysia states.
"There is no hindrance for Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to use the word 'Allah' in their religious practices.
"It is time for our fellow Christians in West Malaysia to enjoy similar privilege," he said, in a statement, responding to certain calls for the federal government to appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's recent decision.
He added that PBS' position and stand were similar to what the Sarawak government has adopted.
"We fully identify and concur with the position stated by them.
"PBS is also aware that this is also the unspoken stand of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, since even before independence and before we became part of Malaysia we have always enjoyed peaceful co-existence with all Sabahans irrespective of their religious beliefs.
"We will continue to preserve this religious unity and harmony. As a multiracial party, PBS has always adhered to this belief and stand. There is no need to politicise the issue and we need not be influenced by the tactics of the opposition," Joniston said.
On March 10, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the government directive via a Dec 5, 1986 circular issued by the Home Ministry's Publications Control Division was unlawful and unconstitutional.
This government directive was the one that banned the use of the word 'Allah' in Christian publications.
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