The Johor ruler said the decision to withdraw the appeal on April 18 affects the sentiments of Muslims in Malaysia.

“Regulations, enforcement and coordination regarding the use of the word ‘Allah’ must be fine-tuned without affecting state fatwas and enactments so that the harmony and unity of our plural society will continue to be preserved,” he said in a statement.

He said the publication, printing, broadcasting and distribution of material that misleads the public, especially Muslims, will continue to be prohibited in Johor in line with the position of Islam in the state constitution.

Sultan Ibrahim said a fatwa gazetted in Johor on June 4, 2009 clearly prohibits non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”.

He also said Johor has an enactment which prohibits the use of words that are exclusively for Muslims.

However, he said, non-Muslims may use these words in certain circumstances, such as when singing the state anthem, Lagu Bangsa Johor.

In a landmark decision in March 2021, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Sarawakian Jill Ireland could use the word “Allah” for the purpose of religious education in Malay and her native Melanau language.

Then High Court judge Nor Bee Ariffin said a Dec 5, 1986 home ministry directive to prohibit the use of the words “Allah”, “Baitullah”, “Solat” and “Kaabah” by non-Muslims was illegal.

The government immediately filed an appeal.

However, last week, it said it had abandoned its appeal on April 18.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim denied claims that Putrajaya did not consult the Conference of Rulers and the state religious councils before deciding to withdraw its appeal.

Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat the matter was referred to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who asked the government to ensure that all decisions must be in line with the position taken by the rulers.

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