Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar has expressed regret at the cancellation of today’s debate on the ‘Allah’ row involving him, stating he felt the organiser had “played him out”.

Noh today took to Facebook to express his disappointment with the cancellation by debate organiser Malay daily Sinar Harian , and wants its publisher Karangkraf to explain.

“This (debate) was the time for me to school Khalid Samad, who has frequently been releasing confusing statements on the ‘Allah’ issue.

“I will still go to Karangkraf today to get an explanation from them, for I feel I have been played out ( dipermainkan ) by the organisers,” he said.

Lacking understanding on apostasy

Khalid ( right ), meanwhile, stated that many whom he informed of the cancellation had speculated it was done because “the other side” lacked confident in Noh’s ability to argue intellectually.

“I myself am too lazy to make any assumption, however, I am surprised as this was a golden opportunity for them (Noh’s camp) to (supposedly) prove me ‘ignorant’ and that I had pawned my religion.

“Why did they let this opportunity go? Is it because they know that in actual fact, what they are doing is without any solid basis?” the Shah Alam MP questioned in his blog.

He said those who viewed that the use of the word ‘Allah’ was exclusive to Muslims merely held a “religious opinion” without accurately understanding on the problem of apostasy by Muslims in the country.

Sinar Harian had late last night announced that it had called off the debate, which had been slated to take place at 2pm today, citing reservations expressed by various quarters.

It was reported last week that among those calling for the cancelation of the debate was the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), who stated that the issue was too complicated and sensitive to be solved in such a manner.