While the PAS syura council stand on the use of ‘Allah' was roundly condemned by many non-Muslims, analysts argued that it would not do much harm to Pakatan Rakyat at the looming general election.

This is mainly because PAS will be contesting only a handful of seats in Sabah and Sarawak.

As for the peninsula, the majority of voters have already made up their minds, and the about-turn by the Islamic party would not be a big enough factor to change their decisions.

NONE Nevertheless, the support for PAS' partners - PKR and DAP - may be affected in Sabah and Sarawak as the majority of the Christian population live there.

Christians constitute nearly 10 percent of Malaysia's population, with most of them in Sabah and Sarawak. They have been using the word 'Allah' to describe their god in the Alkitab, the Malay language translation of the Bible.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) political scientist Faisal Syam Hazis believes the apparent U-turn by PAS was a strategy to shore up its Muslim support.

However, the Islamic party may feel some impact of its decision in seats which has a higher proportion of non-Muslims, especially in the peninsula.

"It will affect, but I'm not sure how much. However, if the opposition managed to raise other major issues during its campaign, then this issue will be sidetracked," he told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.

'Voters have made up their minds'

Two independent pollsters disagreed with the view that PAS' stand on the issue - that Christians cannot use ‘Allah' in the Alkitab - would erode its support among the non-Muslims.

NONE Merdeka Centre programme director Ibrahim Suffian ( left ) said while the Christian groups may be disappointed with PAS, the issue may not necessary drain votes from the Islamic party.

"People have generally decided who to vote for since we have been talking about the election all this while," he said.

He also opined that there would be minimal impact on PKR and DAP in East Malaysia.

"It might have some effects for PKR and DAP in Sabah and Sarawak, but the last Sarawak state election showed that BN still won most of the indigenous people's votes despite the fact that the opposition was using the same issue to campaign against them."

Another pollster, Redzuan Othman, who heads Universiti Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Election, also said that the issue would not punch a hole in PAS' non-Muslim support.

Referring to the voting pattern in previous by-elections and in the Sarawak state polls, he said that both BN and Pakatan have build a core of strong supporters.

"These are solid groups, and they will not change their decision rashly," he said.

On the contrary, he said voters are more concerned about other major issues such as good governance and the recent incident at a forum in University Utara Malaysia (UUM) involving a plucky student and overbearing panellist.

He added that with the help of new media, the younger generation will not so easily believe the anti-Pakatan messages whipped up in the mainstream media.

Minimal impact on Chinese community

Since the PAS syura council's decision was announced on Monday, the mainstream media, particularly Chinese dailies, have given extensive coverage to the issue.

NONE Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) chief executive officer Tang Ah Chai ( right ) also said the issue will not have much impact in the Chinese community.

"The issue mainly affected the Christians in East Malaysia. Generally, the Chinese do not use the term 'Allah' to describe Christ or Buddha," he said.

He also noted that the ruling party had failed to stir up anti-Pakatan sentiments despite heavy attacks by the mainstream media over the issue.

Tan further pointed out that the issue could be a double-edged sword for MCA if the Chinese-based party continues to use the issue to attack its arch-rival, the DAP.

"DAP and the Chinese society may hit back at MCA by saying that MCA did not protest against the announcement of Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) in 2001," said Tang, in reference to the infamous declaration of Malaysia being an Islamic state by the then premier.

Only High Court's decision counts

Contacted yesterday, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian and Sabah DAP publicity secretary Chan Foong Hin ,however, expressed some concern that the PAS stand could sway Christian support away from Pakatan.

Hudud forum Baru Bian As such, Baru ( right ) took pains to remind East Malaysians that the statement was purely  "political rhetoric" and has no legal force.

"Of course, that is PAS' stand on the issue, but as far as our law is concerned, only the High Court's decision has legal force," said the Ba'kelalan state assemblyperson.

Agreeing with his colleague, Chan said the damage is still manageable for Sabah Pakatan as the local media has not picked up the issue, unlike their counterparts in the peninsula.

"So far, this issue has not affected Sabah, but we are worried that somehow it could spread to here."