PENAMPANG, Sabah : Bahasa Malaysia Bibles and other Christian publications with the word “Allah” should be freely used at least within the confines of the places of worship, said UPKO president, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok at the UPKO Convention on Nov 8.

With YAB Datuk Sri Panglima Mohd Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) president among the guests of honour, it was an opportune time for Tan Sri Bernard to raise the matter again.

“The results of the General Elections of 2008 ushered in a new political landscape in Malaysia where the electorate has shown that the traditional politics and the way we do things may not be sufficient anymore to satisfy a discerning public who are no longer bound by our past deeds when they cast their votes either in general elections or by-elections.”

“One of the most divisive issues in this country is religion. I would say that it has contributed immensely to the reduction of votes obtained by Barisan Nasional candidates during the last general election in the urban areas of Semananjung Malaysia.

“We in UPKO, and for that matter the whole Barisan Nasional, should condemn actions ridiculing others’ religions whatever they may be. The Belief in God in our Rukun Negara was mooted by our national leaders not for nothing

“Today, some of the Christian churches who have brought in Bibles from Indonesia are still waiting for their Holy Books to be released to them. There are two Court cases waiting to be heard with regard to the word “Allah”. I take the view that these are unnecessary cases.

“With the greatest of respect to those who may feel uncomfortable with me mentioning this, the Christian community, not unlike the Christians in Indonesia and the Arab world, has been using this word for a long time. And it will be a herculean task for the government, if indeed it wants, to enforce the prohibition of the word in Christian worship.

“What is the solution you may ask. I respectfully suggest that we go back to the position of the Tun Mahathir era when the Bahasa Malaysia Bibles and other Christian publications were freely used at least within the confines of the places of worship.

“These are but only a few examples, and they are not new issues. And indeed I have responded to them during our previous conventions. Our members are however emboldened by the wind of change coming with your leadership and it is their hope that these impediments to national unity will be finally and decisively addressed in 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now.”

The UPKO National Convention was held from Nov 7-8. It was opened by the Prime Minister at the Penampang Cultural Centre hall. It was the first time that he was coming for the convention. Besides officiating at the convention, Datuk Seri Najib also spoke to the members.

More than 4,000 members attended the convention.