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MIC wants Rebit case to be 'gold standard' for similar conversion tussles
Published:  May 3, 2016 12:00 PM
Updated: 4:58 AM

Welcoming the developments in the case of Rooney Rebit, MIC is hoping that it will become the "gold standard" for decisions in all future cases involving similar circumstances.

MIC president Dr S Subramaniam said many have become victims of circumstances and were converted to Islam but never led a Muslim way of life.

"Their attempts to rectify this have not been easy and this has had major effects on their daily lifestyle. Many of them could not get married because of their uncertain identity.

"They have also been subjected to the duress of enforcement officers because of their non-rectified status," he added in a media statement.

He said the fundamental constitutional right of religious freedom must be upheld and all government institutions must be proactive in upholding the same.

"Likewise, the Malaysian non-Muslim community is also looking forward for a quick resolution to the long-standing issues of interfaith custody and conversion of minors.

"As a matured, stable, and progressive multi-religious nation we have the strength to overcome these few obstacles in our path of strengthening national unity," he added.

Subramaniam lauded Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem for having personally intervened in the case of Rebit to uphold the latter’s constitutional right of being a Christian.

The MIC president also welcomed the assurance from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak that the National Registration Department (NRD) would withdraw the case and discontinue the appeal against the High Court decision.

"This is the correct decision and also an important precedent," he said.

Rebit, a Bidayuh who was converted to Islam as a child, had in a landmark ruling on March 24 been granted a declaration by the Kuching High Court that he is a Christian in accordance with his constitutional right to freedom of religion, as he is now an adult.

It ordered NRD to change his name to Rooney Rebit and his religion from Islam to Christianity in his identity card and its records. The department filed an appeal against the decision on April 22.

NRD was the only party which objected to the decision. The Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and the Sarawak Islamic Council had no objections.

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