(The Malay Mail) - The PAS Syura Council has been urged to publicly make their stand on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's call to the government to allow the use of the word “Allah” in the Malay version of the Bible in his Christmas message.

This is to clear the confusion among the grassroots over who should issue statements on the matter — the PAS leadership or the Syura Council, said former Penang PAS Youth chief Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin, who is also the coordinator of Jaringan Melayu Pulau Penang (JMPP), a non-governmental organisation.

He said the issue had not been discussed even at the annual PAS Muktamar or party assembly since 2010. "However, several PAS leaders like Mat Sabu (PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu), who doesn't have the capacity to talk on the matter, has released a statement on it. The stand should be made by the Syura Council, not him or any PAS leaders."

Mohamed Hafiz, who claims to represent the grassroots and ordinary PAS members, said he was informed of their dissatisfaction over several matters, including the use of “Allah” in the Bible.

"Many from Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Kelantan, among others, have supported me over the matter." He had launched a signature campaign against Lim's proposal on Jan 4 and would hand the list along with 25 police reports on the matter to the Inspector-General of Police.