YOURSAY ‘The government's statement is just political rhetoric.’
Churches can still use 'Allah', says gov't
Vijay47: This may seem an olive branch from the government but in truth it merely reflects the cunning and deceit that Umno is known for.
Perhaps with an eye on world opinion, which in any case hardly matters now, Umno wants its cake and eat it too while it runs with the hares and hunts with the hounds.
If it was so concerned with the rights of minority communities to practise their faith in a manner they think fit, why did it start this controversy in the first place, especially when non-Muslim forms of worship had never created any problems all those years?
Ironically, you fought tooth and nail to ensure that The Herald lost its case and now you have the audacity to say, "This is the law, but you don't have to comply with it."
What about all those bibles illegally seized by fanatical organisations - is their continued retention supposed to indicate "dialogue and the spirit of compromise"?
Like his servant the IGP (inspector-general of police), Najib has also mastered the art of taking the middle path.
Baiyuensheng: There is already a clear divide in the seven judges along racial lines, except one. This country is already divided between non-Malays and Malays.
This fault line cannot be healed in my generation as well as the next three generations. This divide is so often played up by various parties, especially the government institutions, terrorists groups, etc. We will end up like Iraq.
Fairnsquare: It is not the law that is at fault. We have failed to live together as one family with different religions.
There is suspicion and hatred being stirred, preventing the races from practicing their religious worship harmoniously as done during the governments before Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Religion must be exclusive of the executive/state. The interference by NGOs and political bodies must be stopped as they have their own agenda. We need to see through all these, with perhaps stronger leadership.
Kit P: Federal Court decisions are never just standalones. They will be used as precedents in lower court rulings.
You can bet even before the ink is dry that this ruling will be used to justify interference in non-Muslim religious practices far beyond The Herald .
Mondou_Otogod: Indeed, this case should not be brought to court in the first place. It should have been settled through political means via dialogue with all the stakeholders and not through court action.
Now it has become so confusing, with blatant intervention by the executive power on a judicial decision. With this kind of situation, the doctrine of separation of power, the cornerstone of any democracy and good governance, has been violated.
I bet now those who are shouting judicial bias and injustice are surprised that they can still use the word ‘Allah', courtesy of Putrajaya interference in the Federal Court decision.
I wonder now what those who champion the rule of law and the separation of powers are going to say with this blatant executive interference on the judiciary.
CHKS: The government's statement is just political rhetoric. They are toothless in stopping these extremists. Or maybe they are in cahoots with them?
Also, they know Malaysians generally have short memories. They are just like babies. They cry when they are hurt but moments later, they will forget about the pain because they can be easily distracted. This statement is just a pacifier.
Hearty Malaysian: Enact a new law according to the 10-point solution to show BN commitment, I dare you.
Apa Nama: Hello Malaysian government, can you please tell me the difference between the word ‘Allah’ in The Herald and the word ‘Allah’ used in worship by the Malay-speaking Christians?
When I type it, it appeared the same. When I see it, it looks the same. When I pronounce it, it sounds the same. So how can you justify your statement that only the Catholic publication could not use the word?
It's all boils down to common sense. Just because the previous home minister have blundered in banning the word in The Herald , you need not blunder all the way up to this point.
Or are you taking a ‘middle path’ to confuse the public?
Isana: Can use but cannot print. The government’s statement is neither here nor there. This fits into Najib leadership style. Clearly the Federal Court judgment is made to accommodate Najib's flip-flop ways and to resolve this unnecessary issue.
On one hand, Najib has to please Dr Mahathir Mohamad-backed Perkasa and Isma, and on the other hand, he has to please his Sabah and Sarawak BN Christian ministers and supporters.
So made the judgment 4-3 and hope that this flip-flop will get him out of the hole that former home minister Syed Hamid Syed Albar dug nearly two decades ago.
Gunner: Regardless of the Federal Court's decision, I think many people, including the Malays, agree with me that Allah is for all humankind.
Gov't offers a hollow assurance on use of ‘Allah'
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