'Allah' controversy can only be handled by being tolerant.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw believes that the handling of the 'Allah' controversy is by tolerance, finding solution, if possible, through discussions by both sides.

Dr Tan has been asked to comment on the 'Allah' controversy.

For some years, the use of the word Allah by non-Muslim publications such as the Catholic weekly, Herald, evokes strong feeling among some Muslims. It is about sensitivity of those who oppose the use of this term in non-Muslim media.

Last week, High Court judge Lau Bee Lan ruled that usage of the word was constitutional as long as the periodical was confined to educate the followers of the Christian faith.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad said that the law did not take into consideration sensitivity factors that could provoke tension and animosity between followers of different religions.

“The solution to the controversy will not be achieved by making an appeal to the court. Such a sensitive issue cannot be solved through law,” he wrote on his blog yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said the controversy started when he was still in office, adding that the Cabinet at that time thought the usage of the name “Allah” in the Bible was a sensitive issue.

God is from the Old English, the Old Norse and the Old Saxon. Allah is Arabic for God. Kadazandusun use Kinoingan.

Our country is multireligious. All religions believe in tolerance. In the spirit of tolerance, let the proponents and the opponents find a solution, if possible, to the issue peacefully.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw