Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that the government cannot stop people from gathering at mosques tomorrow to protest against a court decision which had allowed the Christian publication Herald to use to term 'Allah'.

NONE "We cannot stop them if they want to congregate in mosques," said Najib, when asked if the government was practising double standards in handling demonstrations.

However, he stressed that the gatherings should be confined to the mosque compound and he hoped that it will not spill over to "something more serious".

Speaking to reporters after the national level launch of the 1Malaysia clinic in Kampung Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur, Najib said the authorities are prepared and will take necessary action.

Najib said he hoped that there would be "minimal" protests tomorrow as to not cause tension in the country as he wanted the matter to be resolved through the courts.

"We should take the attitude that the matter should be resolved through the court in an amicable way. We should not raise the tension levels in this country," he said.

Dialogues planned

Najib also brushed off comments by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the controversy cannot be resolved through the courts, as it does not recognise religious sensitivities.

penang protest against herald badai crowd "There are all kinds of views. As I have said, the appeal has gone to the courts, but (the issue) requires us to have dialogue with various groups," he added.

Yesterday Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government did not prohibit the people from expressing their views on the issue.

penang protest against herald badai speech

However he said that he will not hesitate to take action if the protests "affects security".

Several Muslim-based organisations plan to st age a demonstration tomorrow to protest against the use of the word "Allah" by other religions.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had yesterday granted the Home Ministry a stay of execution on the Dec 31 High Court ruling allowing the Herald to use the word 'Allah' in its Malay-language edition, pending the hearing of an appeal.

1Malaysia clinic

Earlier, Najib told a crowd of 200 people at the function that the 43 1Malaysia clinics launched today was due to public request.

"Why 1Malaysia clinics? It is because all Malaysians are entitled to equitable and accessible healthcare," he said.

Najib said that RM10 million was allocated in Budget 2010 for 50 such clinics, located in urban areas nationwide, and it was implemented within a week of the new year.

On criticisms by the Malaysian Medical Association, Najib said there was no need for private doctors to worry about 1Malaysia clinics.

He said 1Malaysia clinics will act as referrers for patients to private and government medical institutions.

The 1Malaysia clinic provides basic treatments for flu, follow-up treatments for diabetes, hypertension, basic first aid and health awareness campaigns.

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