Malaysian Muslim Lawyers' Association (PPMM) Media Statement on Kalimah Allah CoA's decision:

1. It has come to the attention of PPMM that there has been some misconception and/or misunderstanding as to the actual decision delivered by the Honorable Court of Appeal on the aforestated matter. PPMM being a body having the duty to keep all members of the public correctly informed as to the development of legal matters of this nature, takes it upon itself duty bound to make a statement as follows.

2. The subject matter before the Honorable Court of Appeal was pertaining to the legality of the condition imposed by the minister prohibiting the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the specific publication of “Herald – The Catholic Weekly”. This matter came before the Court on the application of Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur (The Archbishop) by way of Judicial review, which is a specie of actions to be brought before court in challenging the legality of ministerial and/ or administrative decisions.

3. It was the Archbishop who complained in that application to the then High Court that the Minister was wrong in imposing the said condition which amongst others infringed the Archbishop’s purported guaranteed rights under Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, and that the minister’s reliance amongst others on the existence of the anti propagation laws under article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution would also be furthering that infringement.

4. In the light of that background, the Honorable Court of Appeal in determining whether the High Court was correct or otherwise in its decision, was duty bound to examine the complaint of the Archbishop under Article 3(1) and 11(4) of the Federal Constitution.

5. Hence, a careful reading of all the three judgments of the Honorable Court of Appeal will show that the Court had ventilated, studied and considered the application of all the relevant provisions of the Federal Constitution as well as the related provisions of all the necessary statutes in coming up with the decision to answer the complaint of the Archbishop  in his application for Judicial Review of the Minister’s conditions imposed.

6. It is very clear from the decision of the Honorable Court of Appeal, that what they decided was specifically with regards to the legality of the imposition of the condition by the minister in which the unanimous decision of the Honorable Court of Appeal is “that the minister has not acted in any manner or way that merit judicial interference on his impugned decision”, which simply means that the Archbishop was prohibited from using the word ‘Allah’ in “Herald – The Catholic Weekly” publication.

7. Therefore, PPMM would wish to go on record to stress that as far as this Honorable Court of Appeal’s decision is concerned, PPMM is of the view that the decision goes as far as prohibiting the Archbishop from using the word “Allah” in “Herald – The Catholic Weekly” publication, and nothing beyond that.

8. PPMM is also of the view, that it would be a misconception on the part of any sections of the public, locally and/or internationally to deem that the decision of the Honorable Court of Appeal has in any way put out a blanket prohibition on any section of the non Muslim community of Malaysia from using the word “Allah”. However, a careful reading of the said judgments will also show that all members of the Malaysian community were allowed to use the word “Allah” in the sense of the Qur’anic/ Islamic reference to God, which is as pronounced in Surah Al Ikhlas, (“Purity”) (Chapter 112) as follows: “Say: He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none Like unto Him.”.

9. In conclusion, PPMM would humbly call for all sections of the public to read and understand the judgments of the Honorable Court of Appeal in the sense in which it was given, and also not to make unnecessary and unwarranted remarks which may lead to confusion and/or bordering contempt.