Penang mufti Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor will meet with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng soon to explain and discuss the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in the state.

Wan Salim hoped the meeting with Lim would also help resolve matters related to sensitive issues, especially those touching on religion and race.

"By right the issue need not be raised anymore as the state Fatwa Council has gazetted the word of ‘Allah’ and 40 others related to Islam as forbidden for use by non-Muslims in Penang," he said when contacted here today.    

Wan Salim was commenting on a statement made by Lim in some news portal yesterday allowing non-Muslims in the state to use the word ‘Allah’.

The chief minister reportedly said the ban on the use of the word ‘Allah’ as documented in the Penang Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004 did not apply to non-Muslims.

Police to probe Guan Eng

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a chief minister or menteri besar has no power to issue statements or make decision on the use of the word ‘Allah’.

He said the matter was under the prerogative of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, who represented the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as the head of Islam and Malay customs in the state concerned.

Normally, he said, the Yang Dipertua Negeri would delegate the power to the Islamic Religious Council president or the Islamic Department head.

"Although the edict has to be implemented at the state level and Islam comes under the jurisdiction of the state government, the executive power is not with the menteri besar or the chief minister," he told reporters after opening the Water Sports Carnival at the Bagan Datoh tourism complex today.

Asked whether a police report had been lodged, Ahmad Zahid said the police would investigate.

- Bernama