Anwar: Non-Muslim use of 'Allah' restricted to East M'sia, govt to amend laws

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said the government is looking at amending and revoking all laws that are in conflict with a Rulers Council's decision that the word “Allah” can only be used by Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia, and with restrictions for non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said this was part of his administration's efforts to ensure that the issue may no longer be contested in any courts, after the 2021 landmark decision in the Jill Ireland case where Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Nor Bee Ariffin ruled the government had erred in issuing the 1986 ban on the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims.

Earlier, Anwar, in response to Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai), reaffirmed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to the government's decision to withdraw the appeal and that it was consulted with state Islamic councils.

Further, he said all proposed amendments to the current regulations will be presented to the Malay Rulers Council during its next sitting in July.