Sri Ram hails Indira Gandhi's verdict as 'brilliant decision'

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram has hailed the Federal Court ruling in M Indira Gandhi's unilateral conversion case, describing it as a "brilliant decision".

"It is now the sheet anchor for all constitutional cases. It is a milestone in our constitutional law," he told Malaysiakini.

Sri Ram commended Court of Appeal president Justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin for reminding that the law is neutral.

"Lord president Mohamed Suffian Hashim had said this a long time ago. Along the way, some forgot those wise words.

"All concerned should now understand the meaning of judicial independence," the former apex court judge said, adding that Justice Zulkefli's (photo) reminder was timely.

Meanwhile National Human Rights Society (Hakam) also lauded the apex court decision.

"The practical effect of the decision is that it brings to a close the unnecessary suffering of so many children and spouses whose families have been torn apart by the actions of one spouse to the marriage.

"No longer can one spouse use religion as a means of punishing the other," Hakam president Ambiga Sreenevasan said in a statement.

The Court of Appeal president who led the five-member bench said Justice Zainun Ali, who read the 99-page unanimous decision, had "comprehensively and systematically dealt with all the issues raised including the three questions of law posed".

He also commented on the third question of law and noted that religious conversion of young children to the Islamic faith is a contentious issue and a subject of public discussion.

"It has been noted that even the executive and the legislature have been contemplating introducing an amendment to the relevant laws to give effect to the position of the rightful party over the issue.

"I would like to state here that in deciding the issues before us, as judges, we are not swayed by our religious convictions and be sentimental over the issue."

Justice Zulkefli then cited the reminder by lord president Suffian in 1982, where he said: "In a multi racial and multi religious society like yours (Singapore) and mine, while we judges cannot help being Malay, Chinese or Indian or being a Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu or whatever we strive not to be identified with any particular race or religion - so that nobody reading our judgment with our name deleted could with confidence identify our race or religion, and so that the various communities especially minority communities are assured that we will not allow their rights to be trampled ubderfoot."

- Mkini