Unilateral conversion bill may be tabled again, says Selangor MB

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari has indicated that the controversial amendments to allow unilateral conversions may still be tabled in the state assembly if there is a need to do so.

Speaking to reporters, Amirudin said that at present, only Selangor, Penang and Sabah still differ on the interpretation of laws on the conversion of minors.

"So that was among the reasons to standardise it. But that is only one side of the argument," he said after attending a closed-door dinner with Selangor PKR members and Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali in Shah Alam last night.

Amirudin noted, however, that there are other arguments against the proposed amendments, including in ongoing legal challenges.

At present, the Selangor enactment reads that those below 18 must obtain the consent of the "mother and father" before embracing Islam. The amendment seeks to change this to "mother or father."

The Bahasa Malaysia version of the Federal Constitution also refers to "mother or father" with regard to consent for conversion. 

However, the apex court last year made a landmark ruling in the M Indira Gandhi case that the constitution should not be interpreted literally, and the consent of both parents are needed for the conversion of minors.

"The arguments were legalistic in nature and touch on many aspects. So that's why I think there is a good reason for us to look at the proposed amendments again," the menteri besar added.

Amiruddin also confirmed that the bill was proposed by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais).

The attempt to push through the bill had previously put the menteri besar at odds with Selangor state assembly speaker Ng Suee Lim.

Ng, however, denied he had cut short the last state assembly sitting to just two days to prevent the amendments from being tabled. - Mkini