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Three generations of Malaysians regardless of race or religion have been singing the state anthems of seven states invoking the name of Allah to bless and protect the Sultan and people. Were they wrong?

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s “1Malaysia” slogan is facing its most critical test less than a year of its coinage in the “Allah” controversy, which has catapulted Malaysia into three weeks of adverse international attention raising the question whether we qualify to be a model modern nation-state of racial and religious diversity.

Three generations of Malaysians regardless of race or religion have been singing the state anthems of seven states, Johore, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu invoking the name of Allah to bless and protect the Sultan and people. Were they wrong?

The six-line Perak state anthem invoked Allah’s name four times, viz:

Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan
Adil dan murah memerintah watan
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan
Iman yang soleh Allah kurniakan
Allah berkati Perak Darul Ridzuan
Allah selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan

Allah, grant the Sultan a long life
Just and gracious, ruling the homeland
Obeyed by the people left and right
Allah endow the righteous faith
Sanctify Perak Darul Ridzuan, O Allah
Salvage the State and Sultan, O Allah

Allah’s name is invoked thrice in the Terengganu state anthem, viz:

Allah daulatkan Tuanku Sultan,
Terengganu Darul Iman,
Allah peliharakan Tuanku Sultan,
Sejahtera sepanjang zaman,
Allah rahmatkan Tuanku Sultan,
Memerintah rakyat aman.

God may his majesty remain sovereign,
Terengganu the abode of faith,
God bless his majesty,
Blissful throughout his reign,
God bestow mercy upon his majesty,
Govern the people in peace.

The Johore anthem starts with “Allah peliharakan Sultan” and ends with:

Allah berkati Johor
Allah selamatkan Sultan

The Pahang anthem starts with

Ya Allah Yang Masa Kuasa,
Lanjutkan Usia Duli Yang Maha Mulia,

and ends with

Ya Allah Selamatkan Duli Tuanku Raja Kami

The name of Allah is invoked in Selangor state anthem’s “Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku”, Kelantan state anthem’s “Segala Kebesaran Allah cucurkan” and Kedah state anthem’s “Allah selamat Sultan Makhota”.

Have three generations of Malaysians, particularly non-Muslims in the seven states of Johore, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu done wrong and been offending the sensitivities of their Muslim contemporaries in using the name of Allah to bless and protect and the Sultan and people when singing the respective state anthems?

Were the Muslims particularly in these seven states in the past 52 years offended that non-Muslim Malaysians were also using the word “Allah” in these state anthems?

The answer can only a powerful “No’. If so, why should the “Allah” controversy reach its present level as to seriously tarnish Malaysia’s international reputation, undoing all efforts to attract foreign investors, tourists and students with the spate of arson and vandalism of places of worship, totalling 14 cases of attacks on churches, mosque and surau, a gurdwara and a school in several states since Jan. 8.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet must end its paralysis to be able to represent all Malaysians to resolve the “Allah” controversy. Its Achilles’ heel is that has defaulted from its mediator role to resolve the “Allah” controversy because it has become a major protagonist itself.

This is why the Prime Minister and Cabinet should revert to their role as representing all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.

As a first step, the Cabinet should withdraw the Home Ministry’s appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court judgment of judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan so that it could play the role of mediator to resolve the “Allah” controversy through an inter-religious dialogue to restore the religious equilibrium and harmony that was so imprudently disrupted by the then Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar in 2007 in banning the Catholic weekly Herald from using the word “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia publication.

37 Replies to “Three generations of Malaysians regardless of race or religion have been singing the state anthems of seven states invoking the name of Allah to bless and protect the Sultan and people. Were they wrong?”

  1. Its already clear what Najib is going to do: NOTHING. He is not going to press the case and he is not going to support the Herald. This is what Najib does when he is under the gun – do nothing. – When he was charged with Scorpene submarine corruption, Altantuya, National Service deaths, TBH death, PKFZ, Jet Engines etc. This is what he does, get his people to work it while he just keep quiet and ignore it and hope people get tired of it.

    Do you hear people, except RPK and the opposition politician occasionally, clamoring about PKFZ now, about Scorpene submarine, Altantuya, TBH, PKFZ etc… He just bet they get tired of it and he move on to find other tricks, spins and ‘ideas’ to win them back..

  3. Asking UMNO to refrain from playing up racial and religious issues is like asking the cat to live a fish-free diet, the cow not to chew the cud and the lion to be a vegetarian.
    UMNO enjoys wallowing in that racist, bigoted mud.

  4. The Islamisation project of Umno has torn some family ties apart. A recent example is the case of the kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi. To insist on religious legalism will do no good to show the true dispensing of the mercy and grace of “Allah”, for the legalism which does not show a contrite heart and empathy towards the humanity of the victims of religious intolerance will only prove that humans have tried to distort the will of “Allah” with an impious heart!

    Malaysia Insider reported on 22 Jan 2010:
    //In court earlier, it was a tearful reunion between mother and daughter when Indira Gandhi managed to hold her youngest child for the first time after almost a year apart.

    A teary-eyed Indira Gandhi told reporters outside the courtroom later that she was very happy that her daughter could still recognise her as her mother.

    “She smiled and kept calling out ‘Amma, Amma’. I am just happy that although we have been apart for so long, she still recognises me,” said Indira Gandhi.//

    http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/50457-conversion-custody-tussle-outcome-on-feb-3

  5. This is my confusing thought on Najib’s “1Malaysia”

    “To confuse you in order to take control over your body and mind, justified my implementing confusing policies irrespective of the end results as long as it serves my needs and purposes” – Richard Loh

    Malaysia For All

    GE 13 – Change The Federal Government No matter what, we must ensure that racist umno bn do not regain the power like they had for over the past fifty two years.

  6. Mahathir keep insisting 9/11 was staged. – Its confirmed. Mahathir is not senile, not racist, he is a SOB, a JERK…

    I know a number of friends who was in NY and saw the tower collapsed, even one who saw the planes. My experience is not unsual in a globalised world. Considering how globalised many Malaysian are already, its crazy to even consider this possibility except if you are out of touch or WANT it to happen. Mahathir is more globalised than me.

    He is a SOB and a JERK..

  7. Ha, ha, ha, not wrong lah, synergy lah
    Allah/God – what’s d difference, all good
    D more d merrier, all protecting sultans who shld b happy
    Now it looks like Umno B want only 1Allah to protect sultans, got sense ah

  8. Problem is that human are trying to make a monkey out of god.
    God never forbid human to use his name.
    It’s those idiot wackos who are trying to take over god’s “throne”.
    Taking over Perak is just a small thing!!!

  11. YB Kit,
    Since you are the advacator for the establishment of a formal inter-religious council, you are indeed trying to use the people’s approach instead of the legal approach to find a solution to the “Allah” word usage controversy.

    By people’s approach, I think the best effective way is for Pakatan Rakyat leaders to build up a much closer rapport with the State Rulers. Since the state rulers have been bestowed by the Federal Constitution and their respective State Constitution with the discretionary power to administer all matters pertaining to the Islamic affairs, the Malay Custom and Tradition, and the special rights of the Malays, a closer personal contact with the state rulers will probably make it much easier for Pakatan Rakyat leaders to enable their voices and advices being readily heard and gracefully accepted by the state rulers.

    DAP’s former National Treasurer cum former Kluang MP, Mr Lee Kau, had shown us a good example in the past by building a good rapport with the late Sultan of Johor. And I am sure that the late Sultan did listen to Lee Kau for many ocassions pertaining to the proposal for overall well-being of the Johoreans when Mr Lee Kau served as the only one Opposition state assemblyman in Johor State Assembly during 1970s and early 1980s.

    It is the right time now for you to know the new Acting Ruler of Johor. As a friendly advice to you, please don’t get to close to the Sultanah of the present sick Sultan, lest you will be suspected of trying to take side in the royal court dispute of Johor.

  13. Kit, you missed out our national anthem “Negara Ku”, you know the part where we sing “Tuhan Kurniakan”. How could the Muslims sing this part of the anthem when “Tuhan” in this respect means “God” as a generic reference.? To the Muslims, there is no other God but “Allah”. Since UMNO is so adamant that the Christians use “Tuhan” to refer to their God, then wouldn’t the Muslims be praying to a Christian God? But, let’s say, on the other hand, to accommodate the Muslims, UMNO decide to change the “Tuhan” to “Allah”, now that would put the non-Muslims in a fix, because to say the word would cost the non-Muslim RM3,000 fine or 2-year jail or both. I do not know whether to laugh or moan at the situation we are in today.
    The other off-beat situation is this. I stay in Cheras and go to a church in the same locality which is just a stone throw away from the border with FT, i.e. the Phoenix Plaza. Since our church is in Selangor, we therefore cannot use the word “Allah” during our worships. However, if I fancy attending a mass in BM, I will drive to another church in the FT area, still in Cheras but 3 km away, where “Allah” can be used. The parishioners in our church consists of 40% Sarawakians, Sabahans and Indonesians, and our parish priest is a Kadazan, but cannot use “Allah” during our BM masses. However, the other church which is about 3 km away but still in Cheras, where hardly any East Malaysians or Indonesians have their worships there, the word “Allah” can be used. I hope someone can get us out of this ludicrous nightmare, and soon before all of us go insane!

  14. What about Rukun Negara?

    MAKA KAMI, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip yang berikut :

    KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN
    KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA
    KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN
    KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG
    KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN

  15. There will be only 2 side.

    Continue what it is used to be Malaysia is a blessing land of harmony, peace and happy.

    The other way round do against God blessing to this land will turn this land into cursing land of no peace.

    It is your choice MALAYSIANS. Decide wisely.

  17. All pm NR needed to do is just say it’s okay for every malaysian to use and sing the word “ALLAH” then the controversy would end immediately.I can’t see the fuss why he does not want to do it. NR talked about 1Malaysia and Malaysia’s success in uniting the multi-racial and multi-religious people in the country as a rode model.Would not this claim be made a laughting stock by others when just one word ,he could not control and later triggered various churches being firebombed.NR’s failure to control the word,and the nation and its people are falling apart. I hope Heaven would help malaysians who all love ALLAH/GOD as THE ONE ,to understant each other and be united again as 1Malaysian irrespect of race and religion.

  19. If I remember correctly the whole issue started with the Home ministry’s refusal to renew the “Herald” permit near the end of 2007. Those days the gomen thought that 1000 plus lawyers on the march is nothing because there are more than 10000 lawyers in the country. So the gomen think they have the majority support – The big bully mentality. They think they can just do whatever thing that they feel like.

    But because of the much anticipated GE12, they quickly soften to renew the permit but slapped with the condition that the word “ALLAH” must not be use. They thought the church would begrateful & they could win some votes. But the church chose to leave the matter to the law of the land to decide and on 31/12/2009 the law of Malaysia has judged against the gomen.

    Instead of bowing down quietly, this BN gomen continues to bulldoze its way with no regard to the country’s racial & religious harmony.

    We hold the Prime minister & the Home minister personally rsponsible for bringing a peaceful nation to a possible national disaster.

  20. So many Muslims are sick of such dirty politics.
    Yes..read what was written by LKS…and lets see those smart racists buggers…what have they..to say.
    This kind of message should be put at S.,Times headline news….for UMNO to sue LKS upside down…..but the UMNO PMs are such such nice gentlemen…never sure anyone..sooooo noble and good.
    Yes…UMNO..the champions of Islamic faith…go.. do your God’s work to show to the whole world…what stuffs you are made put of.
    Don’t talk…just do it.
    Millions of non Muslims ….especially the Christians sing songs praising “Allah”….and you can bet your last ringgit….they are thinking of Jesus…their God.. to protect the Sultans…..hahahahahahahaha
    Hi MACC…say what you mean and mean what you say…so many millions to be arrested……hahahahahahahahaha
    Waiting for Najib’s command?
    That half past six PM la…talk alot of nonsense…that’s what he is good at…so you MACC buggers..go.. act and do your wonderful work.

  21. Its pure common sense that when Islam was at its hight & during the period when they fought the crusaders, they did not even claim exclusivity of the word “ALLAH”. They allowed Jews & Christians of the day to continue to use the same word to call their God.

    1000+ years have gone by and there was not a single problem regarding the common usage of the word “ALLAH”. And suddenly its a sensitive issue in Malaysia. Malaysia truly boleh. Don’t we feel shameful when we meet with our foreign friends? We are giving them the impression that we still live on tree tops!!!Hey we Malaysians (BN gomen) got nothing better to do ah?

    Malaysia has become a joker in the international arena:-

    1) Arrested a female reporter under ISA in order to protect her safety. Only under massive public out cry & pressure that she was released within 24 hrs and “regained her safety”.

    2) Claiming exclusive use of an Arabic word “ALLAH” for Muslims in the country in order to protect them from beng confused. The word by the way has already been widely in used by the international communities especially in the Middle East Islamic countries for thousands of years.

    3) A widely perceived “murder suspect” is runing the country as Prime Minister.

    What a sick joker!
    Do you think a sensible foreign investor would part with his money to invest in Malaysia?

  22. “Three generations of Malaysians regardless of race or religion have been singing the state anthems of seven states invoking the name of Allah to bless and protect the Sultan and people. Were they wrong?”

    Sorry for the oversight and thanks for the reminder, hehehehe. Okay, so from now onwards, only Malays will be allowed to sing the Negaraku and the non-Malays will sing Negarakuku. Anyway, this is Persekut-tuanan Melayu.

    See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atbu4IPwqfQ&feature=player_embedded

    So let us be Second Class Citizen then and to hell with 1Malaysia.

  23. why should the “Allah” controversy reach its present level as to seriously tarnish Malaysia’s international reputation, undoing all efforts to attract foreign investors, tourists and students with the spate of arson and vandalism of places of worship,…(Kit)
    ===================================================

    This is consequence when the ruling party leverages on religion for political gain.

    How many countries which play the religion-card or manipulate religion for political gain can do well or have a happy ending? We all can count. It is imperative that the ruling party steer clear of such “religious quagmires” lest the national economy be dragged into the economic doldrums.

  28. ///Were the Muslims particularly in these seven states in the past 52 years offended that non-Muslim Malaysians were also using the word “Allah” in these state anthems?/// – YB Kit

    For the apologists for the ban to reconcile the ban with the use of “Allah” in state anthems, they will rationalise that:-

    1. what is wrong is for non Muslims to invoke “Allah” in Herald’s publication or church sermons (in Bahasa). Their argument is the possibility that such invocation may lead to confusion facilitating proselytization of Muslims.

    2. however using “Allah” in state anthems is OK since the context of such invocation is to bless and protect the Sultan and people….and possibly since constitutionally the Sultan is head of Islam it is understood that “Allah” in the state anthems is, by context, a reference to the God in Islam whose name is invoked to bless Sultan and people rather than to preach and spread another faith! There lies the difference.

    This means Nazri compromise formula, if he chooses to pursue that, will lead to:-

    · Non muslim Christians can use “Allah” in their worship in East Malaysia (where there is no Sultans and no Shariah enactments prohibiting use of the word).

    [It is not clear however whether this applies equally to Penang, Malacca and the Federal territories in Peninsular not manacled by these Shariah enactments, just like the parallel East Malaysian states. It is also not clear whether Non muslim Christians can use “Allah” in their worship in East Malaysia and those of other 4 Peninsular’s territories (without Syariah enactments) where the worship/publication is in English and not Bahasa addressing an English conversant audience!]

    However it could be made clear that for the state anthems, Non Muslims in the Peninsular with Shariah enactment can, for reasons stated in (1) and (2) above, continue to sing them with the word “Allah” (though the word cannot be used in religious publication, congregation and discourse other than Islam’s . Likewise it is Ok for Tuhan to be used in National anthem, the overarching reason being that for both national and state anthems, there is lesser risk of confusion/proselytization of Muslims in these patriotic anthems unlike the use of the word in religious publications of Herald and church congregations.

  31. Actually no apology is needed in the circumstances. An expression of regret that the situation has turned the way it did followed by an official announcement that the government would abide by Justice Lau’s decision and will therefore withdraw the appeal would suffice.

    If they are thinking of damage control then this is realistically the best and only way out. I support isahbiazhar’s comment in #30.

  33. Jeffrey :

    For the apologists for the ban to reconcile the ban with the use of “Allah” in state anthems, they will rationalise that:-

    2. however using “Allah” in state anthems is OK since the context of such invocation is to bless and protect the Sultan and people….and possibly since constitutionally the Sultan is head of Islam it is understood that “Allah” in the state anthems is, by context, a reference to the God in Islam whose name is invoked to bless Sultan and people rather than to preach and spread another faith! There lies the difference.

    When the people sing the state anthem… such as :

    1.” Allah daulatkan Tuanku Sultan,Terengganu Darul Iman,…”

    2.” Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan……”

    3. “..Allah berkati Johor, Allah selamatkan Sultan….”

    4.”…Ya Allah Yang Masa Kuasa,
    Lanjutkan Usia Duli Yang Maha Mulia,….”

    5.”..Ya Allah Selamatkan Duli Tuanku Raja Kami….”

    it is actually a form of prayer by the people to god…. So if Barisan Nasional government make a ruling that “Allah” is exclusively the people of Islam faith’s god, doesn’t this tantamount to forcing the people of other religious faith to ‘pray’ to Islam’s god?

    Or will the BN government now allow people to sing ‘TUA PEK KONG save the Sultan’……’Dewa Krishna selamatkan Sultan’…..”Yesus selamatkan sultan”……. Dewi Kwang Ying selamatkan sultan….” , Dewa Hanuman selamatkan Sulatan”…..according to their own religious faith?

    or alternatively, a generic word for god…. “tuhan” should be used to replace the word “Allah” in those state anthems?

  34. The late Sultan of Johor passed away yesterday
    Perhaps MMK can tell us if the death was staged by u-know-who
    So sorry, now nonMuslims cannot sing d Johor anthem, only 1Allah selamatkan Sultan
    No more synergy of Allah n God, thanks to Umno B

  35. When UmnoUtusans do things, they never go through their mind.

    They just do as they please at that moment, no consideration at all for its implication or possible repercussion.

    Can we trust UmnoUtusans to continue to govern this country ?

  37. C d disastrous result when nonMuslims cannot sing d Johor anthem n when their God is not = Allah
    Fatal consequence thanks 2 Umno B n Utusan M
    God has spoken. Amen
    D appeal court shld take this happening seriously b4 passing their judgment

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