The conversion of former army commando M Moorthy to Islam has shown up the continuance of the judicial crisis and has proven to be another blot on the notion of justice in Malaysia.

The high court once again took the narrow approach over its role and invoked Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, which states all matters pertaining to Islam should be handled by the Syariah Court. This has trodden on the rights of a non-Muslim.

The court's decision is seen as pushing the matter back to the Parliament to amend the Article and set a standard for the administration of justice. The judgment is clearly a development that is inconsistent with the aspirations and the dynamics of a multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysian society.