Kota Belud MP okay with two laws on 'Allah'
Published: Jan 13, 2014 6:36 AM | Updated: Jan 13, 2014 3:17 PM
Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan has backed the existence of “two sets of laws” on the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in Malaysia.
Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan has backed the existence of “two sets of laws” on the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in Malaysia.
"If having different laws applied to Peninsular Malaysia and (Sabah and Sarawak) will make us live harmoniously and (in a) united (way), I say go ahead, have those laws," Rahman said in a statement today.
He expressed support for the 10-point solution drawn up by the cabinet for Sabah, but did not say if this should be applied to Peninsular Malaysia as well.
"As it is, anyway, we have laws which are only applicable to either Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah or Sarawak only,” he noted.
“Immigration, labour and quarantine laws are some examples where laws only apply to certain parts of the country.”
Rahman, who is the Urban Well-being, Local Government and Housing Minister, said "no solution is perfect" when it comes to racial or religious issues.
"There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Respect, tolerance, moderation and common sense are key," he said.
"Emotion and rhetoric should not cloud our views and judgments. We must maintain rationality in our resolution of issues.”
Rahman said use of ‘Allah’ in the AlKitab is essentially a "non-issue" in Sabah and Sarawak as the Christians there had used the word "before the formation of Malaysia".
"When I officiate at events in Kadamaian, a Christian-majority state assembly seat within my constituency, prayers citing the AlKitab are normally led by a pastor. This shows how tolerant we are in Sabah and Sarawak of each other's religion," he said.
However he said, those in Sabah and Sarawak must also respect the sensitivities of Muslims in the peninsula.
"Our histories are different; and the kalimah Allah and AlKitab issue in Peninsular Malaysia emerged out of different sensitivities and historical backgrounds," he said.
"If having different laws applied to Peninsular Malaysia and (Sabah and Sarawak) will make us live harmoniously and (in a) united (way), I say go ahead, have those laws," Rahman said in a statement today.He expressed support for the 10-point solution drawn up by the cabinet for Sabah, but did not say if this should be applied to Peninsular Malaysia as well.
"As it is, anyway, we have laws which are only applicable to either Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah or Sarawak only,” he noted.
“Immigration, labour and quarantine laws are some examples where laws only apply to certain parts of the country.”
Rahman, who is the Urban Well-being, Local Government and Housing Minister, said "no solution is perfect" when it comes to racial or religious issues.
"There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Respect, tolerance, moderation and common sense are key," he said.
"Emotion and rhetoric should not cloud our views and judgments. We must maintain rationality in our resolution of issues.”
Rahman said use of ‘Allah’ in the AlKitab is essentially a "non-issue" in Sabah and Sarawak as the Christians there had used the word "before the formation of Malaysia"."When I officiate at events in Kadamaian, a Christian-majority state assembly seat within my constituency, prayers citing the AlKitab are normally led by a pastor. This shows how tolerant we are in Sabah and Sarawak of each other's religion," he said.
However he said, those in Sabah and Sarawak must also respect the sensitivities of Muslims in the peninsula.
"Our histories are different; and the kalimah Allah and AlKitab issue in Peninsular Malaysia emerged out of different sensitivities and historical backgrounds," he said.
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