Guan Eng must make a stand on 40 ‘Islamic’ words

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must clarify the Penang mufti’s decision to bar non-Muslims from using 40 ‘Islamic’ words.

Centre For Political Awareness Malaysia (CPAM) chairman Huan Cheng Guan said Lim cannot go on being so quiet on such a pressing public issue.

He pointed out that apart from DAP national chairman and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh, other DAP leaders and Pakatan Rakyat state government had been strangely muted over the 40-word ban by Penang Mufti.

“The ban was gazetted and enforced under Lim’s current Pakatan regime in 2010,” he noted.

Huan told a press conference that Lim’s continued muteness on the issue showed that the Chief Minister had sold out the Chinese in Penang.”

Also present were CPAM local leaders and members.

Later they held a banner which read: “Tokong Lim mengkhianati masyarakat Cina dan Pulau Pinang” (Deity Lim had betrayed the Chinese and Penang communities).

Non-Muslims are prohibited from using 40 “Islamic” words, including Allah under the ban made by Penang Mufti in 2010 vis-a-vis the Penang Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004.

Offenders can be slapped with a fine not exceeding RM3,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both, under Section 3 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Penang) 1996.

He also called on state executive councillor Abdul Malik Kassim, who is in charge of Islamic affairs should also clear the air.

“The Chief Minister and the DAP had been so busy campaigning on the Allah issue in Selangor.

“But the Chief Minister has been so quiet on the same issue in Penang, pretending as if nothing has happened?

“This issue is more serious than the kangkung issue.

“Resolve the issue at home first. Hold discussions with relevant departments. Give your state government’s clear stand on the issue, ” he said.