UNFAIR TO CAST BAD LIGHT ON M'SIA OVER "ALLAH" ISSUE, SAYS FORMER PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- It is unfair to cast a bad light on Malaysia over the controversy involving the use of the word "Allah" by Christians as other countries too have been criticised for their stance on certain religious issues, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He cited Switzerland which does not allow minarets on mosques while France
bars Muslim women from wearing the veil.

"Therefore, no country's image is immune from criticism and Malaysia is no
exception as evidenced by the bad press it is getting over the "Allah" issue,"
he told reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony between Petronas
Lubricants International and Proton Holdings Bhd, here, Tuesday.

As such, he said, these countries would at one time or another be criticised
as being unreasonable and undemocratic which would leave a bad impression on
them.

Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on the negative perception Malaysia was
getting from abroad on the current tug-of-war between the Muslims and Christians
over the word "Allah".


"I have a bad impression or perception of Switzerland, for example, which
does not allow minarets, and of France which does not allow people to wear
veil.

"My perception of these countries is that they are not being very
democratic. This thing happens to every country," he said.

He also took the local media to task for not reporting that Malaysia was not
the only "culprit" as other countries were being reasonable, restrictive and
undemocratic as well

-- BERNAMA