Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President, David Ong, supports the call for the inclusion of church input in the discussion on the use of the word “Allah” for Christian community in Malaysia.
“We express our support for the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) and their plea for the Cabinet to consider input from local churches while formulating recommendation to the Conference of Rulers regarding the use of the word ‘Allah’ in Malaysia,” David said in a statement.
He said the LDP is committed to promoting religious freedom and harmony, adding that SCC's suggestion to include Christian ministers from Sabah and Sarawak, as well as representative councils and associations of churches, reflects the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and fostering inclusive decision-making processes.
The SCC's proposal aligns with the principles enshrined in the Federal Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to profess and practice their religion freely.
“By considering the views of local churches, the Cabinet can ensure that the proposals presented to the Conference of Rulers reflect the aspirations and concerns of the Christian community in Malaysia,” he said.
Furthermore, David strongly agrees with SCC’s call for peaceful resolution on this matter.
It is crucial to approach discussions about sensitive topics with understanding, respect, and a genuine effort to comprehend each other’s viewpoints.
“We believe that by hearing diverse voices from all stakeholders, the government can view issues from different perspectives and formulate policy that would uphold religious freedom and interfaith harmony,” said David.
