COMMENT | I have written many articles regarding the Allah issue since it first surfaced a decade ago. It seems that the subject does not want to fade away.

Now, I wish to ask whether this long-running saga over the usage of the word “Allah” has done the people and nation more harm than good. The answer is obvious.

The issue has torn Malaysians apart. It strikes at the very core of what we, Malaysians, have long cherished - our precious religious tolerance and harmony, one that has long been talked about and greatly admired by others.

Let’s be honest about what’s going on and do some straight talking. We have heard enough about the arguments from both sides - constitutional rights, freedom of religion, the exclusive name of the Muslim God, Christians should use “Tuhan”, et cetera - both within and outside the confines of the court.

These arguments have been repeated so many times over the years that they now sound kind of boring to many, myself included. I would love to hear new and fresh points on the debate, but there are none.

At the end of it all, I think we have to concede that what this is all about is a petty quarrel between Muslims and Christians in Malaysia. Others may disagree that this is a serious issue and not petty. But it is to me.

Why do I think so? Because I believe that other than Muslims and Christians, Malaysians of other religious backgrounds are not bothered at all.

Then again, I doubt I’m wrong in saying that only a small group of Christians and Muslims are concerned or involved in the debate over the Allah controversy.

To the majority, there are other more important and pressing matters at hand. For them, this Allah issue is irrelevant.

Then again, who decides which side wins in this hue and cry – a few men and women who sit as judges in our court of law? A case of men playing God! However, this is the law of the land and, like it or not, we have to accept their verdict.

Oh, how I cherish and adore these words of former Sarawak Chief Minister, the late Adenan Satem (photo) when he weighed in on the matter in 2014.

“The people of Sarawak can use “Allah” however, whenever and wherever they want. In Sarawak, we don’t have a problem. It’s an issue created by those in Semenanjung and that’s their problem. Who am I to decide how people should call their God. I am not God!”

Those who knew Adenan well are aware that he never mixed religion with politics. For Sarawakians, those were words of wisdom and great faith indeed from a true Muslim leader!

My own admission

When the foreign media mocks our pettiness and stupidity because we have been quarrelling for years over a mere “word”, all of Malaysia, Muslims and Christians in particular, must surely bow their heads in shame.

I, too, am guilty. So I, too, must bow my head in shame. I had spoken out and participated in the heated debate as well.

In 2013, I angrily ticked off Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali when he called for the burning of the Malay version of the Bible.

I had issued a statement, as head of the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS), that “Sarawakians want no part in this heated quarrel over the Allah issue”.

“The people of Sarawak have no religious or racial problems and we don’t wish to be contaminated with ‘religious poison’ from bigots and ‘dangerous’ politicians like Ibrahim Ali from Malaya.

“MoCS has always maintained that Sarawakians are a different breed and our racial and religious harmony is genuine, unique and not hypocritical,” I said...