The tussle over the term 'Allah' has soured ties between the government and the Church.

Numerous groups, some with political motives, have jumped on the bandwagon to stir up religious sentiments.

Certain quarters have also accused Umno and its minions of exploiting the issue in order to keep a stranglehold on Malay/Muslim votes.

However, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said yesterday that the government stands by its 10-point solution.

Responding to this, former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan ( left ) commended the Najib administration and urged that the 10-point solution be entered as a consent order in the Federal Court.

"I welcome the statement by Khairy. This is particularly in light of the fact that it was the government that appealed against the High Court's 'Allah' decision (and not a state government) and it should now resolve the matter by entering the agreement as a consent order,” Ambiga told Malaysiakini .

She said it should perhaps be made clear to the Attorney-General’s Chambers that this is the government's position, since the arguments put forth in court appeared to contradict this.

"I am informed (though I stand corrected if the information is inaccurate) that the government’s representative in court from the AG's Chambers objected to the production of the 10-point solution in court.  

"This should not have happened if the government stands by it (the solution).

"If it is argued that there is no need to refer to the 10-point solution because the case concerns only the Catholic weekly the Herald , then all the more reason to inform the Federal Court, in light of the wide scope of the Court of Appeal judgment and the arguments by the government representative in court," she added.

'The PM should speak up'

Among others, the 10-point solution states that copies of the Bible in all languages can be imported into the country, including in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.

These Bible, it added, can also be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

Asked about Perkasa's criticism of Khairy ( right ) following his disclosure, Ambiga said while the right-wing movement is entitled to its views, a cabinet minister is also qualified to explain a cabinet decision.

"How can you stop him?" she asked, adding that it would, however, be best for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to speak up on this issue, since he signed the10-point solution.

"The criticism of Khairy is unfair. He did the right thing to speak up, instead of disavowing a document that was agreed to by the cabinet," she said.

Ambiga said while certain quarters might criticise her for airing her views on this matter, the veteran lawyer pointed out that she was commenting on a civil court proceeding.

"I also urge everyone to read the 10-point agreement as it is a sensitive and just solution to a difficult problem that was concluded by the government, and I commend them for it," she added.

Below is the 10-point agreement:

1. The Bible in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.

2. These Bibles can also be printed locally in peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a new development which should be welcomed by the Christian groups.

3. The Bible in indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang can also be printed locally and imported.

4. For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.

5. Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community for peninsula Malaysia, the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words 'Christian Publication' and the cross sign printed on the front covers.

6. In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their Bible and Christian materials on such travel.

7. A directive on the Bible has been issued by the chief secretary of the Home Ministry to ensure proper implementation of this cabinet decision. Failure to comply will subject the officers to disciplinary action under the General Orders. A comprehensive briefing by top officers, including the attorney-general, will be given to all relevant civil servants to ensure good understanding and proper implementation of the directive.

8. For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, Gideon, the importer, can collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge. We undertake to ensure the parties involved are reimbursed. The same offer remains available for the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang, which have already been collected by the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) last week.

9. Beyond the Bible issue, the government wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with the Christian groups and all the different religious groups in order to address inter-religious issues and work towards the fulfilment of all religious aspirations in accordance with the constitution, taking into account the other relevant laws of the country. In order to bring urgency to this work, the prime minister will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.

10. The Christian ministers in the cabinet will meet on a regular basis with representatives of the various Christian groups in order to discuss their issues and work with the relevant ministries and PM in order to resolve them.