KUCHING: The state government will continue to defend and preserve religious tolerance in Sarawak as the core unifying factor in the state, says the Chief Minister's Office.
It said the state government's policy on religious tolerance had been consistent from the time of previous chief ministers, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and Tan Sri Adenan Satem, to the present administration.
"The Muslims respect the Christians as much as the Christians respect the Muslims, and so with people of other religions.
"There has never been (any) restriction for Christians in Sarawak to use the word 'Allah' with respect," CMO said in a statement on Thursday (March 18).
It added that the assistance given to other religions through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) was a testimony to the state government's policy.
Opposition politicians had questioned the state government's stance following the Federal Government's decision to appeal the High Court ruling allowing Christians to use "Allah" in their religious publications for educational purposes.
CMO said it was understandable that certain quarters were politicising the "Allah" issue in view of the impending state elections.
"The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership trusts that the people will not be influenced by the tactic of casting doubt and aspersion on the government's stance, but will continue to stand firm to protect religious unity in Sarawak," it said.
