Religious council welcomes move on child conversion law

PETALING JAYAThe Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism has welcomed the government's decision to go ahead with the tabling of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill 2016 despite calls by Muslim leaders otherwise.
Its chairman, Jagir Singh, said the amendments which require both parents to agree to a conversion of a minor to Islam is long overdue and is necessary to prevent injustice within society.
"Since the cases involving S. Deepa and Indira Gandhi, there has been a public outcry following the decisions at the apex court.
"Therefore, it is only wise to leave the Bill to be debated and hopefully passed at the Dewan Rakyat," he told theSun when contacted today.
On calls by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to form a special committee to review the Bill, Jagir said it was not necessary as the matter has been studied and deliberated by legal experts as well as lawmakers for many years.
"There is no need to delay the Bill which has already been postponed several times."
Meanwhile, Wanita MCA chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie said Wanita MCA fully supported the stand made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that national interest must come first despite pressure from various quarters.
"The government will be tabling the amendments to ensure that any conversion of a minor child to another religion must have the consent of both parents.
"The Bill is a step forward in addressing issues and rights of both Muslim and non-Muslim spouses and parents with regard to unilateral conversion to Islam by a muallaf spouse," said Heng.
She said the issue has dragged on for too long and had created unnecessary societal hatred and to avoid jeopardising national unity, it is high time for the Bill to be pushed forward.
Their comments came after Ahmad Zahid said on Tuesday that the government will stand firm on its decision to legally prohibit the unilateral conversion of children to Islam.
One of the highlights in the Bill is a new Section 88A that explicitly states that "both parties" in a civil marriage must agree for the conversion of a minor to Islam.
Specifically addressing the "Religion of a Child" in civil marriages where one spouse has converted to Islam, the amendment states that in such cases, any children will remain in the religion of the parents at the time of marriage until the age of 18, whereupon they may choose their own religion.
Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria had on Monday urged the government to postpone the tabling of the amendment, claiming that it is unconstitutional and against Islamic laws.
The government's move to amend the Act comes following two high profile cases of unilateral conversions, which had captured headlines in recent years and stirred religious tensions.
One was that of hairdresser S. Deepa whose family was torn apart when on Feb 10 last year, the Federal Court granted her custody of her 11-year-old daughter Sharmila, while her ex-husband N. Viran now known as Izwan Abdullah, got custody of their eight-year-old son Mithran, now called Nabil.
Another was the case of kindergarten teacher Indira Gandhi whose three children Tevi Darsiny, Karan Dinish and Prasana Diksa were converted to Islam by her former Hindu husband K. Pathmanathan, now known as Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, without her knowledge.