Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin has revealed that closed-door talks are already taking place between Muslims and Christian leaders to solve the dispute over using the term ‘Allah’ to describe the Christian God.
“It is unofficial, behind close doors process of engagement to get consensus on how the dispute can be solved,” he told reporters here today, indicating for the first time about out-of-court dialogue to settle the divisive issue.
The deputy prime minister said he did not want to elaborate as the talks were taking place behind closed doors and due to the sensitive nature of the dispute.
“Many parties can make all sorts of interpretations if the issue is discussed out in the open, but behind closed doors it can be solved with respect and courtesy,” he said.
A High Court decision last New Year’s eve reinstated the constitutional right of the Catholic weekly Herald to use the word ‘Allah’ to describe the Christian God in its Bahasa Malaysia section.
The ruling riled Muslims and led to a series of attacks using fire, stones and paint against churches, mosques, suraus, a Sikh gurdwara and one convent school.
Wild boar heads wrapped in plastic bags were also thrown at two mosques in Kuala Lumpur last week and is believed to be linked to the ruling.
The government has appealed against Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan’s landmark decision and has also won a stay of execution. The Roman Catholic Church agreed to the stay due to “national interests”.
Muhyiddin described the ongoing engagement process with groups representing various faiths as a better way to obtaining consensus on how the sensitive issue can be resolved.
At the same time, he said the government position is that there was no need for an Interfaith Commission to be set up in Malaysia as demanded by opposition parties and non-governmental organisations.
“At the moment we feel it’s not necessary but continued dialogue was useful,” the deputy Umno president said.
He pointed out there had been no major issue until the current dispute over the use of ‘Allah’, adding however it was good for all parties to sit down and resolve the issue.
Indonesia had recently set up a similar commission but Muhyiddin said the social-cultural backgrounds of both countries cannot be compared.
News courtesy of Malaysian Insider
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