KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan today warned the groups planning to stage protest rallies against the use of the word “Allah” to cancel their plans or face action.

He added that police would monitor the situation and would not compromise with anyone who tried to disrupt harmony and pose a threat to the safety of the country.

“Do not do anything that might aggravate the situation. We must practise caution when dealing with religious issues because they are very sensitive,” he told reporters after opening a Innovative and Quality Management seminar for police here today.

The IGP was commenting on reports that a number of non-governmental organisations were planning to stage peaceful protest rallies, in mosques throughout the city here, after the Friday prayers tomorrow.

He stressed that the police have not issued any permits, even for peaceful protest rallies.

“How can police issue a permit for a gathering at a mosque because it is a place of worship,” he said.

He urged all the people involved to be tolerant and let the court settle the issue and avoid issuing any statements that can raise the sensitivity of the people.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday granted a stay in favour of the Home Ministry to stop Catholic weekly magazine Herald, from using the word “Allah” pending an appeal.

The application was heard in chambers by High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan while Attorney General Datuk Abdul Gani Patail appeared for the Home Ministry, while Derek Fernandez and Benjamin Dawson appeared for Herald.

On Dec 31, Lau ruled that pursuant to Articles 11 and 12 of the federal constitution, Herald had the constitutional right to use the word in respect of instruction and education of the congregation in the Christian religion.

She also said that, pursuant to Article11(4) of the federal constitution, it is an offence for non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” to Muslims to propagate the religion, but it is not an offence for non-Muslims to use the word to non-Muslims for the purpose of religion.

However, on Monday, the Home Ministry lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal against the decision, and followed up with an application for the stay yesterday.

The Herald, which is printed in four languages, has been using the word “Allah” as a translation for “God” in its Malay-language section but the government argued that “Allah” should be used only by Muslims.

Courtesy: TheMalaysianInsider