Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad will present proposed amendments to the Selangor Sultan regarding a state law which forbids the use of the term 'Allah' by non-Muslims.

He said a draft of the proposed amendments will be completed by the middle of April.

"We have completed preliminary studies and we will submit the document for (the Sultan's deliberation) after the full committee studies it," he said.

"Depending on the Sultan's schedule, we hope to seek an audience with him to deliberate the matter."

Speaking at a press conference at his Shah Alam office, Khalid said he has received the 'green light' from the Palace during his last audience with the Sultan.

Following this, a committee to study the proposed enactments was established.

"During my audience with the Sultan, he was willing to hear my views. He said that I can raise any objections," he said.

In January, Khalid called for a review of the 1988 Non-Islamic Religions (Restrictions on propagation among Muslims) Enactment, which he described as "outdated".

Debate dare

Other than prohibiting the use of the term 'Allah' by non-Muslims in non-Islamic context, the act also prohibits the use of 24 other words, including ilahi , wahyu , imam and nabi .

This statement earned him the wrath of his Pakatan Rakyat colleague Zulkifli Noordin, who is Kulim Bandar Baru MP. The latter lodged a police report against the former.

Zulkifli claimed that Khalid had committed "gross abuse against Islam and Islamic institutions in this country" and treason against the Selangor Sultan.

The police report was among two reasons which was used by PKR to sack Zulkifli after a disciplinary hearing.

Meanwhile, Khalid today challenged Zulkifli to a debate on the 'Allah' row, adding that he was willing to do so at any time and place.

Asked about his stand should Zulkifli decline, Khalid replied: "The people will judge him. It will show that he is badut (a clown) and budak hingusan (immature)."

Mara accused of favourtism

Khalid also slammed Malay dailies Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian for publishing inacurate reports that tarnish his reputation.

Displaying the news reports as evidence, Khalid called it a "desperate attempt to smear my (his) reputation."

According to Khalid, one article featured interviews with three Indonesians who said he was not doing enough for the economic development of Shah Alam.

The other article, Khalid said the newspaper had questioned him about cracks on the wall of a religious school.

On an unrelated matter, Khalid today claimed that Council of Trust for the Bumiputera (Mara) has misused Anggerik Mall, a commercial centre which it owns.

He claimed MARA had rented out the entire mall to a company belonging to Puteri UMNO politician Huzry Fionawatty Hussein for a overly low rate.

"MARA and the minister overseeing the statutory body should explain why the politician is given the privilege to take charge of the whole building," he said.

Additional reporting by Jimadie Shah Othman.