A leader of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition expressed disappointment today with the Cabinet for tabling a controversial bill on unilateral conversion involving children, which he said went against the 1Malaysia concept.
United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) head Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the intention to table the bill is a contradiction to the 1Malaysia concept of acceptance, inclusiveness and moderation.
"I am surprised and disappointed that this bill was approved by Cabinet for tabling at Parliament," he said in a statement to the media today.
Dompok said that a few months ago, he asked for the withdrawal of a paper on the bill in Cabinet as he felt that an earlier Cabinet decision on the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 should be implemented instead.
The bill in question is the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which was tabled on Wednesday.
Two large prominent groups - The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and the Bar Council - have raised concerns on the bill.
MCCBCHST also said any unilateral conversion of children by one parent is not fair to the minor or the other parent. It added that such conversions are not only unconstitutional but morally and ethically wrong.
They want the key word in the law to remain the plural, “parents”, so that both parents of a minor must agree to any change of religion.
"The present bill appears to contravene the Federal Constitution and runs counter to the government's transformation plans," the former Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities said, requesting for it to be withdrawn from Parliament.
"A full discussion by BN on this issue and related religious issues must also be initiated before any bill is presented to Parliament," Dompok added.
- TMI
He is fighting for the sake of human kind so I thnk he is capable in preserving our beliefs
ReplyDeleteThe United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) wants a contentious Bill to be removed from Parliament and instead be discussed within Barisan Nasional first.
ReplyDeleteUpko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 tabled in Parliament on June 26 appears to contravene the Federal Constitution.
ReplyDeleteIt also appears to be contrary to the government's transformation plans especially the 1Malaysia concept of acceptance, inclusiveness and moderation
ReplyDeleteDompok said he was surprised and disappointed that the Bill has been approved by Cabinet for tabling at Parliament.
ReplyDeleteVarious groups have voiced their opposition against the Bill, which includes a controversial provision allowing a child to be converted with the consent of only one parent.
ReplyDeleteThey said the provision was not only unconstitutional but went against an April 2009 Cabinet decision whereby children of an estranged couple should remain in the “common religion of the parents at the time of their marriage” should one of the parents convert.
ReplyDeleteA fair decision will be made over the Clause 107 of the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 after consulting with all parties, who were against the Bill, including the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.
ReplyDeleteThe Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the decision over the conversion bill should be fair for both Muslims and Non-Muslims, and the matter had been discussed during the cabinet meeting.
ReplyDeletethe Government will take into account the view of several Opposition leaders and the BN’s party components, which were against the clause.
ReplyDeleteWe will study (the Bill) and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic Affairs, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir will make an announcement before or during the time the law is presented,
ReplyDelete