Rulers' decision on 'Allah' issue to be adopted as final policy, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says whatever decision is made at the Conference of Rulers’ meeting slated to be held in October will be adopted as final policy for the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in Malaysia.

In a statement issued after his audience yesterday with Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is the chairman of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI), Anwar said the sultan had also agreed to bring up the issue in the MKI meeting in August before it is brought up for further discussion at the Conference of Rulers meeting.

During the audience, Anwar said he also briefed the sultan on issues concerning the government’s decision in the Jill Ireland case.

"I also explained to the sultan about the federal government's stance on respecting the law in each state and the position of the Malay rulers as the heads of religion in determining matters related to Islam at the state level, and the role of the Conference of Rulers at the federal level.

"I respect the sultan’s views, which are in line with the Cabinet’s decision made in May, that the issue concerning the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak should be scrutinised and clarified to the MKI which has the role of advising the Conference of Rulers," he said.

Anwar said during the audience, he also reaffirmed the federal government's stance to ratify and adopt the existing policy that the word "Allah" can only be used by Muslims in the peninsula and with restrictions for non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak.