Last week, when three judges in Putrajaya delivered their shameful verdict on the ‘Allah’ debacle, they had three objectives: To confuse. To frighten. To demoralise.

The over-reaction confirms that the ‘Allah’ issue is not about religion but is just a ruse, to control both Malays and non-Malays. With control, comes power. With power, comes the ability to do whatever the ones with the power please.

Attempts to quash the public outrage included a mufti who warned Muslims who criticised the court ruling that they would be considered infidels; the Perkasa leader who wanted the Malay-language Bible to be banned; Malay extremists who told dissatisfied Christians to migrate; and the attorney-general who warned that critics would be charged with contempt of court.