MALAYSIAN KING REMINDS PEOPLE TO REMAIN CALM, RESPECT HOUSES OF WORSHIP

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin wants all Malaysians to remain calm in the wake of the High Court
decision on the use of the word "Allah" and respect houses of worship
irrespective of religion.

In a statement issued by National Palace Friday, Tuanku Mizan said he very
much hoped that the spirit of unity and mutual respect which formed the backbone
of the nation's strength would at all times be safeguarded.

His Majesty said he was expressing this hope in view of the government
taking the necessary follow-up steps following the court decision and all
quarters respecting the sanctity and position of Islam as the official religion
of the federation.

"To ensure peace and harmony among the followers of different religions, the
meaning and reference to "Allah" in the general context should conform to the
description fixed by Islam because this practice has all this while been
accepted by Malaysians of other faiths," said Tuanku Mizan.

On Dec 31, the High Court had ruled that the Roman Catholic Church in
Malaysia could use the word "Allah" in its weekly publication, Herald.

On Wednesday, the same High Court allowed a stay of execution on the use of
the word following and agreement between the Home Ministry and the church in the
national interest.

Three churches around Kuala Lumpur, the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa
Melawati; the Assumption Church and the Life Chapel in Petaling Jaya were
subjected to attacks Jan 7 night and early Jan 8.

--BERNAMA