Malaysia court suspends "Allah" ruling in blow for Catholics

Malaysia's high court ruled last week that the Herald weekly had the right to use the word "Allah" after a long-running dispute with the government in the Muslim-majority nation.

The paper has been using the word as a translation for "God" in its Malay-language section, but the government argued it should be used only by Muslims.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail welcomed the high court's decision to issue a stay order pending an appeal on the ruling in favour of the church, which triggered a series of protests from Muslim groups.

"I made the request for a stay as it is a matter of national interest," Abdul Gani said at the court.

"We do not want the matter delayed and cause all kinds of tensions in the country" he told reporters. "I believe the Court of Appeal will hear the case very soon."