Nothing to gloat about in Indira case, says Ti

Ti Lian Ker of MCA says PAS's claim that the Court of Appeal's ruling was a victory for Islam shows that PAS is not a party for those of all religions.

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ proclamation that the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the M Indira Gandhi case was a victory for Islam, shows all too clearly their glory-seeking mentality.

MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman Ti Lian Ker said based on PAS Youth’s statement, the party’s true struggle was not about Islam in the real context but about personal glory instead.

The wing, he added, were a band of politicians seeking power and authority to subdue others into submission.

The brouhaha over the case, he explained, revolved around the principles of the Federal Constitution and not religion.

Yesterday, PAS Youth applauded the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the High Court’s ruling that the unilateral conversion of three minors to Islam was invalid, describing it as a win against the liberal agenda.

The wing’s deputy chief Khalil Abdul Hadi, also said the court’s decision was a success for Islam, especially against the “evil” promoted by the liberals and that it should serve as a warning to those who wished to challenge the sanctity of Islam.

To this, Ti said, there was nothing to gloat about.

“Please don’t use religion to subdue the people,” he told FMT, adding that Islam emphasised on justice for all.

Ti also said the Islamist party missed the point by turning the issue, via the statement, into a Muslim versus the others scenario.

The former assemblyman went on to question if the youth wing’s chauvinistic sentiment was shared by the rest of the PAS leadership which he warned, could mean the rights of non-Muslims would be trampled on or disregarded should PAS ever come to power.

“What about their PAS for all motto? Based on what Khalil said, the party is for a few.”

Ti also said lawmakers must in good conscience take the initiative to discuss the implication of the court’s decision if it caused hardship or injustice.

Members of the parliament, irrespective of religion, he added, should step in to remedy the court’s ruling as it was going to cause hardship, where the innocent victims were children who could be affected psychologically and traumatised.

“Any laws that are going to cause injustice are bad laws and MPs are duty bound to remedy it.”

Indira’s three children were converted into Islam by her ex-husband Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah without her consent. While she has custody of her older two children, her ex-husband has refused to return her youngest daughter, who he took from her when the girl was only two years old.