After Tourism Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, another minister has raised his objection to the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act Amendment Bill 2013, urging the federal government to rescind a contentious provision.

NONE In a statement issued today, Paul Low (right) , a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Clause 107B - which allows a parent who has converted to Islam to convert his or her children who are under the age of 18 - is fundamentally unjust.

“It denies the rights of one parent on the welfare of his or her children, and the children are also denied the protection of their right to receive guidance from both parents as to their well being,” he said.

“It also provides an avenue for one parent to conveniently bypass due process of the law to gain custody of the children in the case of a family dispute.”

NONE His cabinet colleague Nazri (left) had earlier today declared that he stands by the cabinet's 2009 decision not to allow the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam.

Low's view was also echoed by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek who said he hopes the federal government will re-examine the Bill and obtain feedback from all relevant parties before making any decision.

“Public consultation is crucial before deciding on any policy that will affect the nation,” he said in a statement today.

However, he was positive that Prime Minister Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will consult all BN component parties.

Representatives of the MCA, MIC and Gerakan have all spoken out against unilateral conversion of minors to Islam, as have other quarters in civil society, the legal fraternity and religious interest groups.

 

“The Bill is seen as an infringement of rights of non-Muslims. Although MCA no longer holds posts in the cabinet, we will still ensure the Chinese community's interests are secured and maintained,” said Chua.

BN’s ‘malicious trick’ on voters?

 

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had praise for Selangor PAS, for declaring that conversion of children below the age of 18 requires the consent of both parents.

This proves that the Islamic party is more moderate than BN, Umno and Muhyiddin, he said in a statement.

NONE Yesterday Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman (left) reportedly opposed unilateral child conversions to Islam, saying such a decision needs the consent of both parents.

Lim pointed out that Abdul Rani's remark contrasts with Muhyidin’s defence of the Bill - that it has been drawn up to reflect the “current situation” including a court ruling and constitutional provisions.

“There is no doubt that Muhyiddin is wrong as unilateral child conversion is unconstitutional by violating Article 12(4) of the federal constitution,” Lim countered.

He quoted Nazri who had reaffirmed in April 2009 that the constitutional provision which bans unilateral conversion of minors to Islam by one parent.

 

“Clearly this BN position in 2009 was a malicious and deceptive trick played by BN to hoodwink voters before the 2013 general election,” Lim claimed.

“Once the general election was over, BN had no moral compunction in betraying voters by changing its position.”

lim guan eng and dap Lim announced that DAP leaders will be holding dialogues and meetings with affected groups on the impact of the provision in the Bill.

“DAP stresses that it not only oppose any clause that deals with the welfare of those who are Muslims, but only those provisions that impinge, impair and deprive (non-Muslims of their) constitutional rights.”

 

Lim pointed  out that other concerns raised by non-Muslim religious groups include whether the proposed Bill expands the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court beyond what is provided for the federal constitution.

“The Syariah Court has jurisdiction only over 'persons professing the religion of Islam'.

“Their lawyers contend that Parliament cannot and should not purport to expand its own jurisdiction and that of the Syariah Court to cover those who are not Muslims, by means of an over-expansive definition that goes beyond the provisions of the federal constitution.”

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