YOURSAY 'This is a purely political move. Umno needs to develop its voter base. Does anyone believe that faith has anything to do with this?'

MIC also 'shocked' at conversion law amendment

Aries46: MCA and MIC, the fact that Umno dares to subvert the constitutional rights of non-Muslims even without your knowledge is a standing testimony of the pariah manner in which it treats its BN partners.

This is precisely how Umno has ridden roughshod to systematically gnaw away non-Muslim rights over the years until today we are told that to question secret unilateral conversions of non-Muslim spouses and minors is tantamount to questioning Malay/Muslim rights.

Don't you have any kind of self-dignity and pride other than to merely voice objection to what is clearly an attempt to betray and undermine your parties' fundamental function and objectives?

Isn't this subservient attitude the principle reason that Malaysians are throwing brickbats and distancing themselves from BN? Will there be a day when BN component parties summon the courage to tell Umno "enough is enough" in no uncertain terms.

Dont Just Talk: MIC national treasurer Jaspal Singh, even if your party has been consulted, what can it do? Does your party have the guts to say 'no' to Umno?

Consultation never exists in BN. It is Umno that decides and BN just rubber stamps it, which is the reason non-Malays have rejected MCA, MIC and Gerakan in the 13th general election.

MIC strategic director S Vell Paari, what is your take on this amendment bill, which mostly affects the illiterate Indian families?

Katusha: Even if you, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, etc, had been consulted, you would have nodded in meek silence.

Now, only after this injustice had been pointed out by the Bar Council, you pretend to show that you are fighting for the rakyat. Who are you trying to fool?

Paul Warren: The fact that there is even such a bill simply goes to show how involved, or the lack of it, the non-Umno parties of BN are in the law-making process.

For that matter, even if there are little Napoleans who are the real lawmakers who produce these kinds or any kinds of bills and laws, it goes to show the regard they have for the other members of BN.

It would appear that non-Muslim members in BN have been completely disregarded and ignored as having nothing useful to contribute. Alternatively they are taken as pure ‘yes men'. This is evidence of it.

The statements put forward by MCA and MIC so far only goes to show that they were completely ignorant of what really transpires in the law-making process.

Aishah: Frankly speaking, as a Muslim, we cannot marry a non-Muslim if he/she does not convert. So I would advise all Muslims not to get involved in relationship with non-Muslims.

Even if the non-Muslim converts for the purpose of marriage, it is not allowed. Conversion must be from your free will, not because of marriage.

To convert means to practise the religion. If a non-Muslim cannot do that, then don't get into a relationship with a Muslim.

Not Convinced: Aishah, please don't divert the issue. The issue is about a non-Muslim couple who are married and the husband suddenly converts to Islam along with his children with the intention of getting custody over them.

Hang Tuah PJ: I am a convert and I converted just to marry.

And ever since I converted, I have dutifully followed the requirements of the religion and guess what, my born Malay/Muslim ex-husband consumes liquor, gambles at the race course every weekend, has numerous illicit affairs, does not pray, does not fast, dabbles in black magic and is an Umno member.

Please don't be too fast to run down non-Muslims or converts. Look at yourselves first.

I have said this before, as non-muslim marriages have to be registered first at the Registrar of Marriages, I propose that when they take their oath, all couples be made to sign a declaration that they cannot unilaterally convert their children without the consent of the other parent. Then we won't have to deal with this nonsense anymore.

Saleem Khan: I ask all Muslim MPs, if they are true Muslim, to vote against this bill because Islam does not provide for this. I ask you to read the Holy Quran again. If you vote in favour of the bill, you are not Muslims of the Quran.

JMC: Isn't it time for MCA and MIC to openly vote against the bill? Their MPs should withdraw support from BN if the bill is not withdrawn, even pull out from BN or suffer further insult.

TehTarik: The component parties like MIC and MCA are irrelevant as far as Umno is concerned. The conversion bill is being pushed through to appeal to the conservative Malays.

If MIC, MCA and Gerakan had an iota of dignity left, they should leave BN. So should the parties that represent Iban and Dayak rights.

If they remain, it again shows that they are willing to sacrifice the rights of minorities for the personal agenda of the leaders.

Vijay47: MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu and Jaspal Singh, let this be your Rubicon to cross. If the proposed 'conversion' amendment is even included in the bill tabled, let alone passed, MCA and MIC and all non-Muslim parties must leave BN en masse. You have no choice.

I suspect this is exactly what Umno wants, paint the non-Muslims into a corner where they have to leave BN and then play their typical political card for the return of the Muslims to the Umno fold since Islam, the Malays, and the rulers are under attack.

Malaysian Born: One thing is for sure - never again will there be anymore stealthy bills being rushed through. It is now clear that there are elements in the country ala Taliban who are fixated on religious dominance.

Based on this bill, which is bordering on vulgar in terms of its unfairness, one has to worry what our members of parliament are up to. They don't seem to get that religious sensitivity is a two-way street.

What would our Muslim brothers do if someone tried to convert their children without their consent - do they not see that this bill is beyond being absurd and just plain wrong?

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