Respect civil courts’ order, police urged

What are the Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar) and the rest of his men still waiting for? asks Wanita MCA

PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA chief Heng Seai Kie today urged the police to perform their duties in executing the respective court orders for the return of the children of S Deepa and M Indira Gandhi to their mothers from their former husbands.

“The police should also take stern action against these men for defying court orders by abducting or refusing to return the children to their rightful guardians.

“Unfortunately, the police have failed to fulfil their responsibilities. Why has no action been taken by them? What are the Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar) and the rest of his men still waiting for?

“The Royal Malaysian Police must be reminded that they are founded on civil law, therefore they are obligated to obey and are accountable to the civil court.”

Heng also said it was utterly unacceptable for Khalid to say that the police were unable to act because of the contradicting orders between the civil and syariah courts.

Indira and Deepa were granted custody of their children but due to their former husbands converting to Islam, both children are currently with their fathers.

The civil courts have given custody to the mothers while the syariah courts had granted custody to the fathers.

For Indira, the Ipoh High Court had issued an arrest warrant and committal order against the father for contempt of the court while for Deepa, the Seremban High Court had issued a recovery order instructing the police to ensure the son is returned to his mother.

“Even Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri had made it clear that the mothers are the rightful custodians.”

On DAP Perak vice-chairman M Kulasegaran’s accusation that “MCA is sleeping” on this matter, Heng said this was not the time to point fingers.

Kulasegaran, who is also counsel for Indira, had criticised MCA for not following up on the April 23, 2009 Cabinet decision banning unilateral conversion of minors.

Heng said that safeguarding the rights of non-Muslims took precedence over political ideology, and that was why MCA had set aside political affiliation to fight for justice on behalf of Indira and her children even though Kulasegaran is her counsel.