Due to absence of clear guidelines

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 9 (The Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said when he was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of national unity, he had advocated a consultative approach to address issues surrounding the use of the word 'Allah' by Christians.

"During the time of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Christians, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, continued to use the word, subject to requirements including that it is to propagate Christianity among Christians only.

"But due to the absence of clear guidelines, there were inconsistencies with cases of authorities curbing the import of Christian materials and Bibles, to the extent of Christian materials and books being seized from bookstores.

This caused unhappiness among those concerned.

"Several ministers including myself, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and (former MCA President) Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting held advisory meetings with Christian leaders advising them to use the consultative approach to address the matter.

"Our stand on a consultative approach to avoid legal option, but to instead focus on having clear guidelines on the use of the word, or in respect of the importation of religious materials containing the word, was unfortunately not accepted. My own strong view was that the legal option and its likely outcome will never satisfy all parties and hence, there is likely to be no winners because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter," he added.

Ongkili also stressed that the Christian and government leaders had appealed for space and consideration to allow Sabah and Sarawak Christians to continue using the word 'Allah' as this was their practice even before Malaysia was formed.

"Since the matter has been brought to court, we have to allow the court process to run its course for an amicable solution to be obtained," he said.

Ongkili said called on the Christian community in Malaysia to continue to show that they valued peace and tolerance, while everyone must be sensitive to the religious practices of their fellow Malaysians and treat each other as brothers and sisters who come from the same Creator.

Condemning the attacks on churches in peninsula, he urged Malaysians of all faiths to remain calm and level-headed as no good would be gained from irrational reactions over the issue.

"We call for level-headedness and moderation. We will gain nothing by going to the streets or inciting feelings by provoking or attacking religious properties. If we let uncontrolled personal sentiments reign, the 53 years of independence and progress we have gained will go to ruin.

"The 1Malaysia concept will be an elusive dream," said Ongkili, who earlier received a courtesy call from Sabah Innovation and Design Exhibition (Sindex 2010) organising committee at the Sirim office, Friday.