your say 'This is a classic phenomenon where the law was indeed observed to the letter, but justice however was anything but upheld.'

Court fails to rule on Shamala conversion case

Md Imraz Muhammed Ikhbal: This is by far the most brilliant court judgment I've witnessed this year. Not only is it flawless since S Shamala is indeed in contempt of court for being absent, it also avoids the utmost thorny sentiment affecting all the races in the entire nation.

In a very rare occasion such as this, the judges have indeed vindicated their respective posts by serving the ruling elite with impeccable judicial delivery that even the opposition cannot question.

This is a classic phenomenon where the law was observed to the letter, but justice however was anything but upheld. But this is not a matter BN should concern themselves with.

Kgen: This is not the first time that the civil courts avoided answering legal questions on conversion by hiding behind technical grounds. In another case of illegal conversion of children to Islam, the judge slyly remarked that the case should be dismissed and the children can take legal action when they grow up.

Lim Chong Leong: The Federal Court did not miss the chance to deliberate on this issue. It avoided it.

This issue is politically too sensitive for the Najib government and he will suffer whichever way the decision is made because it will be seen as a political decision, and because the courts have been inextricably linked to Umno and doing Umno's bidding.

So instead of deciding on the issue, they pick on an obscure procedural point and strike out the case.

P Dev Anand Pillai: Converting to Islam seems to be the only foolproof method in which one spouse can get back at the other without worrying about any repercussions because the Syariah Court will be there to protect the new converts.

The Federal Court will be reluctant to go against the Syariah Court because their hands have been tied by Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution.

So the issue here is if the Malaysian electorate being as dumb as they will always be, continue to buy the crap that BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicians sell them and continue to vote donkeys into Parliament, many laws like this will continue to be passed, which will make life miserable for the non-Malays in particular.

So it's time that civil society pick up the torch and make this matter global so that change will come. The people deserve the government they get.

Ashoka: Shamala, stay in Australia. Don't come back. I am a convert from Hindu to Islam with a Malay husband (ex-husband now). The Syariah Court will not be fair to you. They were not to me.

I filed for divorce from my abusive, liquor guzzling, horse-race punting, non-fasting (during Ramadan), illicit sex with GRO ‘dangdut' partner and unemployed Malay Muslim man. Even his own sister stood as my witness at the Syariah Court to prove her brother was a lousy Muslim and I was an abiding one.

Guess what? I got my divorce but lost all my four children to him. No reason given. My take... stay in Australia.

Technical: Shamala may be in contempt technically but not morally, as a mother must act in the best interest of her children. This is one country that separates even tender nursing children from their mother when the father converts. As such, Shamala had to leave the country and commit contempt as she had no confidence in getting justice here.

Petestop: When the highest judges of the land shows their bias based on their religious background (as in why the only non-Muslim judge there gave a period for Shamala to show up, while the rest didn't even give a chance), it only goes to show that Shamala will never get a fair trial in Malaysia with the majority of the judges being Muslims.

Therefore, run, Shamala, run!

RR: Do we call Malaysian courts, including the Federal Court, a judiciary? There is no iota jurisprudence in their judgments when it concerns Islam. They merely become an extension of a syariah court.

Yes, Bar Council and all NGOs should spearhead this matter for an international intervention to avert this religious persecution. As a senior citizen, I call upon every non-Muslim cabinet minister to speak on this issue at every cabinet meeting till a just solution is found for this religious bigotry.

By Election Fan: Now, let the Indians out there to judge what sort of judges we have in the apex court to protect your rights.

Have you not humiliated enough in the Hindraf rally? Have you not seen enough of death in custody like A Kugan? Have you not seen enough of Hindu temples being pull down? Have you not been insulted enough by the cow-head protest?

If this situation still persist because Indians support BN to win in the next general election then they should not blame Umno for their plight. You ask for it.

Mohd Sivakumar Abdullah: Shamala, good luck to you. If you feel the country of your choice is right, then by all means, stay there. You won't get a fair deal in Malaysia. I am a convert by circumstances (I married a Malay girl). I regretted my action as I was isolated from my mother and my siblings.

Not Confused: Sadly, this is yet another case of the Malaysia failing its citizens. The judiciary here is so clearly biased - is it any surprise that so many Malaysians are fleeing to other countries where their rights are recognised?

Here, the only rights recognised are those of the ruling elite (read Umno). All others are treated as second-class citizens or pendatang . Every day that goes by, Malaysia becomes a more sad place to live.

Singa Pura Pura: Our judicial brothers will always take the easy way out, and as usual they will be very proud to have found and taken the backlane home. What's new?

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