The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has successfully lobbied for international support on the issue of religious conversion in Malaysia, brought to the fore by the death of Everest hero M Moorthy.

In a statement today, Hindraf chairperson P Waytha Moorthy said he had met with nearly 30 organisations and luminaries during his recent trip to Washington, New York and London.

"On behalf of Hindraf, I invited the international bodies, organisations and individuals to seriously consider and sympathise with the plight of non-Muslims in Malaysia.

"Many viewed this matter seriously and assured they would collectively take the appropriate steps to advise the Malaysian government and relevant authorities on freedom of religion and worship," he added

In Washington and New York, Waytha Moorthy said he met with, among others, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, officials from the US state department, the legislative director of the US House of Representatives, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

In London, he met with officials from the House of Commons All Party Human Rights Committee, the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK Bar Association, International Bar Association and the Human Rights Institute.

Among the issues raised, he said was the 'indiscriminate' demolishment of Hindu, Buddhist and Chinese shrines.

He also highlighted the absence of provisions for the erection of places of worship for non-Muslims in new townships.

Also raised, he added, was the absence of provisions in the Federal Constitution and Acts of Parliament for the renunciation of Islam and hence a convert has no right to revert to his/her original faith.

'Absolute failure'

Waytha Moorthy said he also touched on how non-Muslim cabinet ministers who raised the issue of religious conversion on behalf of their respective communities were accused of committing a 'national wrong'.

Apart from this, the lawyer also drew his audience attention to the "absolute failure of the government and prime minister to reconsider amendments to the Federal Constitution" regarding this issue.

Hindraf was set up following the controversial decision of the Kuala Lumpur High Court not to review a Syariah court ruling that former army commando Moorthy had died a Muslim and should be buried as such.

The organisation claims to represent some 50 Hindu groups.

Moorthy's death in December had sparked off a huge debate on religious freedom, leading many quarters to call on the government to push for the repeal of Article 121 (1A) which prevents civil courts from interfering in religious matters.

However, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Jan 20 said there was no need to repeal or amend the laws.

A disappointed Hindraf then vowed to take the matter to the international arena.

In today's statement, Waytha Moorthy urged the premier to take a bold step towards the right direction and not be influenced by the loss of support from within his party.