Going public for the first time today, the Muslim-convert husband of R Subashini has appealed to the public to stop judging him.

At a press conference in his lawyers' office in Subang Jaya, Muhammad Shafi Saravanan Abdullah (formerly T Saravanan), 31, referred to "untrue statements" that have been made about him.

"It is unfair to simply judge me without proper discussion. Some unwanted comments will affect not only me [...] please do not make comments when it is not true," the businessman said.

His counsel Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar ( left ) told reporters that an application may be filed in the Federal Court for a gag order should such statements continue.

"Some parties have said that our client converted into Islam simply to escape his responsibilities towards his wife, R Subashini, under civil law.

"Our client stresses that such statements are false. (Remember) that the case is still pending mention so it is important that comments about our client should be restrained to avoid prejudice," he said.

Articles under scrutiny

Zainul, who is also Syariah Lawyers Association president, said the firm is currently going through over 50 articles with comments about Muhammad Shafi.

These include articles by those in government, the opposition, the Bar Council, NGOs, non-Islam bodies and individuals.

On March 13, the appellate court had dismissed 28-year-old Subashini's attempt to stop Muhammad Shafi from bringing divorce proceedings to the Syariah Court.

She was told by justices Suriyadi Halim Omar and Hassan Lah who made the majority 2-1 decision to take her case before the Syariah Court instead. Gopal Sri Ram dissented.

However, on March 30, Subashini was granted an interim injunction by the Court of Appeal restraining Muhammad Shafi from pursuing his claims in the Islamic court last Friday.

The injunction also effectively restrains him from converting their second child (aged one) and from pursuing his custody claims in the Syariah Court. The first child (aged three) has already been converted to Islam.

'Big step' to take

Muhammad Shafi, who remained silent most of the time and declined to be photographed, was soft-spoken when reporters coaxed him to answer questions.

Asked as to why he had converted to Islam last May, he said he has been learning about Islam since he was 18 years old.

"I willingly converted to Islam because I prefer the religion and I'm interested in the trust (provided by the religion) and the truth. I was still looking for the truth and I have now found it.

"Religion is not something that I (can) get to know today and convert (to) tomorrow or even say, in one or two years - it (has taken) time for me to convert. Stepping out from Hinduism and into Islam was like taking a big step and there's no step back.

"For me to understand the religion and be satisfied and to willingly for me to convert - that's why it took me so long. That's why I think it was the right time for me to convert and I am still learning."

He also said he did not convert into Islam to escape his responsibilities toward Subashini and clarified there is no other woman in the picture.

He also explained that his parents and relatives have accepted his decision to convert.

"I'm old enough and I can think for myself and make my own decisions. There was no objection from my family over my conversion. I still visit my mother and I still take my responsibilities as a son even though I have converted," he added.

Asked how the children are coping, he said they are "very fine" and that the eldest is living with him.