Disappointed! This is how Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz feels about the Conference of Rulers decision to delay passing amendments to the laws pertaining to religious conversions.

smm meeting with nazri 110907 nazri abdul aziz Speaking to reporters in Parliament, the Nazri's (left) tone and expression could hardly conceal his feelings about being let down by the royals who had vetoed the amendments.

The government had to postpone its plan to table amendments to three bills pertaining to matters of conversion after the Rulers' Conference issued a statement yesterday that the matter must be referred to state religious authorities first.

The proposed amendments were supposed to be made to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976, Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 and Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 in Parliament this week.

It was also expected to be in line with a cabinet directive in April to stop parents from secretly converting children after one party had converted to Islam.

The amendments were being proposed to calm strained race relations in the country.

The amendments were to touch on the dissolution of marriages, right to custody of children, maintenance for children and wife and the division of matrimonial assets.

"They (the Rulers' Conference) have asked for us to give them some time to make decisions and also to refer to the state Islamic Councils and the prime minister has informed me that he is allowing their request," said Mohd Nazri.

"So it will not be tabled in this session although as the representative of the cabinet I strongly feel it should be done now," he said.

"I am disappointed, I got to be honest because I was the one who was asked to make the announcement and I thought it could be done and it is the best we can do to protect the rights of the minorities who are subjects of the rulers in various states.

"Can't you see it in my face," lamented Mohd Nazri.

The minister, who is also the Padang Renggas BN MP, said that the government has to concede to the request of the rulers as they were heads of Islam in their states.

Far-reaching impact

"According to them (rulers) it is one decision that is far-reaching, especially as they are heads of the Islamic religion in the state so I suppose the request is reasonable," he said.

"We actually (thought when) the cabinet announced it in April, that there would be no problems but as I said they think it is a far-reaching decision to make," said Nazri.

The minister, with dejection written over his face, said that he has "no confidence" that the amendments will be table even when Parliament resumes for its next session.

malaysia parliament parlimen However, he added that the next session would be reserved for the tabling of the Budget and it is likely that the conversion law amendments be pushed to December, if not next year.

"It was supposed to be tabled for first, second and third reading today... but we had postponed everything. I can't assure you that it will there in December, because there are strenuous factors beyond me.

"We have agreed in April and that was the reason I was asked by the cabinet to make the announcement which I made and I was so confidant... (but) I am not going to make a fool out of myself again by telling you that it will be debate in December for certain.

Quizzed whether the government had the authority to go on with the amendment without the consent of the rulers, Nazri said:

"Islamic bill (needs the blessings) though in the Federal Territory we have no Sultan, we have the Agong, who is the head of Islam in the region".

"But the other law - Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 - is all action done by a Muslim before he became a Muslim.

"That I thought was in the purview of Parliament but I have been informed that it comes in a package," he said.

VIDEO | 7 mins