Perikatan’s appeal of ‘Allah’ ruling could cost Sabah, Sarawak partners, say analysts

[superadmin]

KOTA KINABALU, March 18 — The Perikatan Nasional government’s move to appeal a High Court ruling that effectively allows Christians to use the word “Allah” may have lasting repercussions despite the obvious benefits of shoring up its Malay-based support. 

While political analysts believe the appeal was predictable in order to get more majority Malay-Muslim support, it may alienate Sabah and Sarawak voters ahead of an expected early general election.

“Such a move will only affect the non-Muslims Kadazandusun and Dayak support for the Sabah and Sarawak state government,” said University Malaysia Sabah political analyst Romzi Tiong.

“Rumours are spreading which suggests that the Bumiputera non-Muslim are increasingly interested in supporting other parties if GRS and GPS are unable to ensure such decision does not further hurt them... this certainly makes them uneasy, thus may make the necessary effort to systematically dealt with the issue,” he said.



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