KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has refuted claims accusing the Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin of deviating from its original struggles for the Muslims and Malays since joining the unity government.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad insisted that the party is consistent in defending Islam.

In an interview with FMT, the Parit Sulong member of parliament said this was demonstrated when the party spoke out on the issue surrounding the use of the word "Allah".

"If you look at the statements made by me and Umno Youth chief (Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh), the party has been outspoken over the ('Allah') issue.

"This means that we will not allow anyone to question (the special position of Islam in Malaysia)," she said.

Noraini, who is also the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) chairman, said Umno had no problem speaking out on the issue despite being part of the unity government.

She added that Umno would continue to do so on other issues concerning Muslims and Malays.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu recently accused Umno of steering from its original cause for the Malays.

The claims made by Faizal came on the heels of the federal government's decision to withdraw its appeal over the High Court's ruling which allows non-Muslims to use the word Allah and three other words for teaching purposes.

The other words are kaabah, solat and baitullah.

Such developments, however, did not sit down well among supporters of Umno, which is a member of the unity government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently said the government would present a proposal on the use of the word 'Allah' to the Conference of Rulers in July.

Anwar added that the administration under his leadership was steadfast in prohibiting the use of the word Allah for non-Muslims in the peninsula and allowing it to be used by non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak but with certain conditions.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/05/914388/umno-has-never-forgotten-its-struggles-islam-malays-says-wanita-chief