Even before the dust has settled on Islamic authorities stopping a Hindu wedding in Selangor, the Penang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) intervened in the Chinese funeral of a 38-year-old waitress today, after it was claimed she converted to Islam 17 years ago.

The religious authorities took away the body of Teoh Cheng Chen, whose Muslim name is reported to be Nora Teoh Abdullah, about 3.50pm after negotiating with stunned family members and relatives since noon.

Her body was kept to the Penang Hospital mortuary pending further developments.

Teoh fell to her death on Saturday and she is said to have a Malay boyfriend.  

The state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs, Abdul Malik Kassim ( right ), said the matter with Teoh’s family, leading to the removal of the body, was "settled amicably".

Malik denied that the body was “seized” by the Jaip officers.

"If the family wants to take the matter to court, or settle it legally, they are at liberty to do so. It depends on the family," he told Malaysiakini.

Ch'ng Chin Keat, a special assistant to DAP's Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee, concurred with Malik.

Family did not know about her conversion

Ch'ng said the family was unhappy at not being able to carry out Teoh's funeral rites, and they were also upset they did not know about her conversion to Islam.

He said Teoh had been living with her Muslim boyfriend and the couple had two daughters, aged 13 and six.

"She did not tell her family about her conversion. She has applied for a new identity card but did not get it yet. The old IC is still with her Chinese name," Ch'ng said when contacted.

Ch'ng said the police stopped the funeral ceremony and it was fortunate that the Jaip officer arrived later to settle the matter amicably.

The family was shown documents pertaining to Teoh’s conversion Islam, noted Ch'ng.

"After discussions with the Jaip officer, the family accepted the situation, and allowed the body to be taken to the mortuary," Ch'ng said.

On whether the family would pursue legal action to claim the body back, Ch'ng said this may not happen as "they want her to be in peace".

The incident comes in the wake of  Islamic authorities stopping a Hindu wedding in Selangor last week, when the bride, Zarina Abdullah Majid, was said to be a Muslim.

The incident was condemned by several quarters who express fear of religious authorities encroaching into the lives of non-Muslims in the country.

Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup said this matter is still being investigated.