A three-member committee of ministers has agreed that a case involving the conversion of three Hindu children to Islam without their mother’s consent must be settled quickly and in a spirit of consideration for all the parties involved.

koh tsu koon not smiling Led by Koh Tsu Koon (right) , the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for National Unity and Key Performance Index, the committee made the decision at meeting on April 22, according to a statement issued by Koh’s press secretary Johan Muhd Hulaimi.

The trio also advised the individuals involved and concerned organisations to “remain calm and refrain from making public comments” in order to provide space and opportunity for the matter to be resolved amicably.

Among those present at the meeting were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) president A Vaithilingam, and MHS Perak leader Vijayalingam, as well as officers from relevant agencies and departments.

indra gandhi 170409 04 At the centre of the matter is M Indira Gandhi, a Hindu, who had complained that her three children had been converted to Islam by her estranged husband without her knowledge.

Her husband Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, 40, (previously known as K Pathmanathan) had used only their birth certificates for the conversion process, and is now involved in a tussle with her over custody of the children.

Indira had also challenged Prime Minister Najib Razak’s sincerity in promoting his vision of ‘1Malaysia’ in which all citizens have equal rights.

Subsequently, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin set up a committee comprising Koh, Minister of Human Resources S Subramaniam and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Jamil Khir Baharom to look into the case.

MHS had earlier appealed to the three ministers for a just and fair solution to the case.

MIC minister hits at DAP leader

In a related matter, said Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam lashed out at DAP leader Lim Kit Siang that the government was dragging its feet in finding an amicable solution to the case of Indira Gandhi's three underaged.

"He wants to stir up emotions by turning it into a political issue," he said.

Subramaniam, in expressing dismay over Lim's allegations said: "We are 100 times more concerned in resolving this issue as it involved a serious and sensitive matter."

He said Lim being an experienced politician, should know better then to make it a political issue.

Subramaniam, also the MIC secretary-general, was among several cabinet ministers appointed to a special committee to resolve the case.

lim kit siang on conversion case 210409 01 Other members of the committee which met last Monday included Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Dr Koh Tsu Koon; Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Jamil Khir Baharom.

The meeting was also attended by Malaysian Hindu Sangam president A Vaithilingam.

Lim yesterday held a press conference with Indira Gandhi to urge the government to settle the matter swiftly.