KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang suggested today that the religious row over the word “Allah” would not exist had the Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council consulted all 13 component parties before the government banned the Catholic Church’s newspaper from using the word.

He said it was necessary for the government to seek an “amicable solution” to prevent the religious tension from escalating.

“Kedah Gerakan Youth hereby urge the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council to seek the view of all its 13 components in the matter and resolve it amicably.

“Such issue wouldn’t have arisen if the views of all 13 components in Barisan Nasional, in particular those from Sabah and Sarawak had been sought before the decision being made,” he said in a statement.

He also noted that Christians, especially those in East Malaysia had been using the word “Allah” for “a very long time”, hence any decision by the government should take into consideration such facts.

Earlier today, the Court of Appeal ruled unanimously against allowing the Catholic Church to use the word “Allah” in its weekly publication the Herald, saying that the government did not impugn on the Church’s constitutional rights in banning the use of the word.

The row over the Arabic word erupted in 2008 when the Home Minister exercised his discretion under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to prohibit the Catholic weekly from using the word “Allah”.

The 2009 High Court decision upholding the Catholic Church’s constitutional right to use the word “Allah” had shocked Muslims who considered the word to only refer to the Muslim God.

It also led to Malaysia’s worst religious strife, with houses of worship throughout the country coming under attack.

Despite the court ruling today, Tan said the issue need needed addressing as it would continue to drive a wedge between the Muslim majority and the Christians in the country.

“The government should always consult with all Barisan Nasional’s 13 components before making any material decisions.

“The views of all communities in Malaysia must be taken into account before being endorsed as a national policy,” he said.