Strike two, as unilateral conversions bill pulled out again

The government today withdrew the second reading of Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill 2016, which aims to prevent unilateral conversions of minors.

This was announced by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

However she did not explain the government’s reasons for doing so.

"The government today withdraws the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill 2016," she said.

The bill was listed as item number 10 in the parliamentary order paper today.

The bill, first tabled in Parliament last November for the first reading, has had its second reading deferred for the second time.

The bill is touted as a solution to the burgeoning problem of unilateral conversions of children, which has seen long-drawn custody battles between the non-Muslim and converted Muslim parents.

[More to follow]

-Mkini