Police chief Musa Hassan today warned those planning to stage protest rallies against the use of the word 'Allah' to cancel their plans or face action.

He added that police would monitor the situation and would not compromise with anyone who tried to disrupt harmony and pose a threat to the safety of the country.

"Do not do anything that might aggravate the situation. We must practice caution when dealing with religious issues because they are very sensitive," he told reporters.

musa hassan bukit gantang by election pc 030409 02 Musa was commenting on reports that a number of non-governmental organisations were planning to stage peaceful protest rallies, in mosques throughout the city here, after the Friday prayers tomorrow.

He added that the police have not issued any permits, even for peaceful protest rallies.    

"How can police issue a permit for a gathering at a mosque because it is a place of worship," he said.

He urged all the relevant people to be tolerant and let the court settle the issue and avoid issuing any statements that can raise the sensitivity of the people.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday granted a stay in favour of the Home Ministry to stop Catholic weekly magazine Herald, from using the word 'Allah' pending an appeal.

The Herald, which is printed in four languages, has been using the word 'Allah' as a translation for 'God' in its Malay-language section, but the government argued 'Allah' should be used only by Muslims.

The term 'Allah' is widely used among indigenous Christian tribes in Sabah and Sarawak, most of whom speak Bahasa Malaysia.

- Bernama