KUCHING: The High Court's decision to allow non-Muslims to use the word "Allah" in their religious publications affirms that religious freedom and rights are protected under the Federal Constitution, says Selangau MP Baru Bian.
The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) lawmaker said the ruling handed down by Justice Nor Bee Ariffin was consistent with the rights of all Malaysians under the Constitution and particularly the rights of Sarawakians and Sabahans pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"There is no official religion in Sarawak and all are free to profess and practise the faith of their choosing.
"The learned judge recognised that the Christians of Sabah and Sarawak had been using the word Allah for generations in the practise of their Christian faith, even noting the existence of Christian publications in Malay dating back to the 1600s," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 11).
On the call by Umno and PAS for the decision to be appealed, Baru said the matter should not be politicised or interfered with.
He said both parties should not use race and religion to gain popularity, particularly with the prospect of a general election looming.
"We hope that all parties will let the matter rest," he said.
He added that in the judiciary's interpretation of the law and legislation, there must not be any interference from the executive, legislature or any other parties.
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