The government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against a landmark ruling which allowed Jill Ireland - a non-Muslim Sarawakian - to use the word “Allah” continues to receive criticism from local groups and figures.

In a statement, the Malaysian Alliance of Civil Society Organisations (Macsa) said Putrajaya’s move to withdraw the appeal came as a “huge surprise and disappointment” as it was made without any justification.

According to the group, the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision in 2021...