Sarawak PKR has expressed regret that Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been ill-advised on the decree he issued that non-Muslims of Sabah and Sarawak are banned from uttering the word 'Allah', despite knowing full well that the two states are secular.

“It is most unfortunate that he has been ill-advised,” Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said in response to the decree by the Agong.

This decree was actually made by Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah in his capacity as the Sultan of Kedah.

His Majesty said in Alor Setar on Sunday that ‘Allah’ is to be used exclusive by Muslims and that non-Muslims are banned from uttering the word.

'Federal constitution is supreme'

Baru said: “Our response is that he is the head of Islam for Sabah and Sarawak, which have no state rulers, but he has no jurisdiction over non-Muslims  on the matter of religion.

“It is most unfortunate that his advice came at this time when The Herald case is pending in the Federal Court.

“We are shocked and surprised to hear the Agong saying that the word cannot be used by non-Muslims.”

“That is our stand,” said Baru, who is Ba’Kelalan assemblyperson and a devout Christian of the SIB denomination, who pointed out that Malaysia is a secular state, unlike other countries such as Iran.

Baru added: “We are taught in the law schools of local universities that Article 4 of the federal constitution states that the federal constitution is supreme in Malaysia.

“All the powers of the three branches of government - Parliament, the executive, including the rulers and the prime minister, and the judiciary, are derived from the constitution.

“It is clear in the constitution that the Agong or the sultan of the states, have no jurisdiction over non-Muslims.”