COMMENT It would be an understatement to say that the pronouncement by the prime minister yesterday that the 10-point solution to the ‘Allah’ issue must be subject to state laws comes as a huge disappointment to those hoping that he would exhibit bold and distinct leadership in this matter.

So that we are all clear as to what Najib Razak has done, let us look at the specific wording of point no 9 of the 10-point solution :

“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 interreligious 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, in my capacity as the prime minister, I will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.”

Note that point no 9 starts with the words "Beyond the Bible issue". This means that what follows in point no 9 is intended to cover other inter-religious issues apart from the immediate issue of the importation, printing, publication and distribution of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, which would have used the word ‘Allah’ for God. These would have been dealt with in points no 1 to no 8. The meaning and intent of the words are very clear.

For the prime minister to now suggest that the reference to “other relevant laws of the country” meant that the 10-point solution was always intended to be subject to the various state enactments to restrict and control the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam is to fly in the face of the logic of the wording of the 10-point solution.

It is, with respect, a pure afterthought...