DAP rep slams non-Muslim body over its silence on apostasy

Sarawak state assemplyperson questions Unifor for lack of assurance, action in wake of recent trouble, threats following ruling on apostasy case.

Chang says assurance should have been forthcoming from Unifor from the very first hint of trouble surrounding the apostasy case, (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak DAP elected rep has criticised the silence of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in the state, over the recent incidents that followed a ruling by the Federal Court on the issue of apostasy.

Bukit Assek state assemblyperson Irene Mary Chang said Unifor, which is responsible for all matters pertaining to religions other than Islam, should have risen to the occasion.

“It has been five days since the regrettable incident which happened following the ruling of the Federal Court on the hearing on the issue of jurisdiction for apostasy cases.

“Yet, Unifor has failed to issue any statement of assurance that they have looked into the incident and are taking serious steps to ensure that such a ruckus would never happen again in our state,” Chang said.

She was referring to the aggression shown towards Sarawak’s Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh, as well as death threats and insults to lawyer and PKR lawmaker, Baru Bian, who acted for the four Sarawakians seeking to convert out of Islam.

Chang added that what happened outside the courts and the war of words following the unruly incident in public media is a serious threat to Sarawak’s image of “unity among diversities”.

“Unifor, a brainchild of the previous chief minister, the late Adenan Satem, is supposed to be the platform for non-Muslims to air their grievances and whatever religious issues they are facing.

“It is supposed to be the bridge between Muslims and non-Muslims and to address and settle amicably the issues which might give rise to misunderstandings between the people.

“So, why is Unifor keeping so quiet over the recent events?” she asked, adding that what has happened also threatens the image of Kuching as the “City of Unity” by 1Malaysia Foundation in 2015.

Chang said assurance should have been forthcoming from Unifor from the very first hint of trouble surrounding the apostasy case,

“Where is the assurance from Unifor that the matter has been officially brought to the attention of both the state and federal governments and that the people’s grievances from both Muslims and non-Muslims have been heard and would be addressed and would not be brushed under the carpet?

“Where is the assurance that actions would be taken against those who had ignited and initiated these unwanted incidents in order to dissipate the brewing contention among the religious groups?”

Seeking court order

On Tuesday, the Federal Court ruled that the Sarawak Shariah Court can hear apostasy cases, in dismissing an application by four Sarawakians for the civil court to hear their apostasy cases.

The four were seeking a court order to nullify their status as Muslims, and compel the National Registration Department (NRD) to recognise them as Christians.

Syarifah Nooraffyzza Wan Hosen left Islam voluntarily and embraced Christianity in 2009, while Tiong Choo Ting, a Chinese-Bidayuh Christian, who converted to Islam to marry a Muslim woman, later decided to return to Christianity after the death of his wife.

Another is Salina Jau, a Kayan/Kenyah Christian, who converted to Islam to marry a Malay-Muslim man but decided to return to Christianity after her divorce.

The fourth is Jenny Peter, a Melanau Christian, who converted to Islam to marry a Muslim but also decided to return to Christianity after her divorce.

The four jointly sought the Federal Court’s interpretation of the Sarawak Shariah Court Ordinance 2001, and named the Sarawak State Islamic Department director, the Sarawak Islamic Council, the National Registration Department director-general and the state government as respondents.

No active intervention

Chang said the authorities cannot afford to “bury our head in the sands” on the issue.

“It is not enough to simply assure ourselves that this would not escalate into more serious contentions without any active intervention by the state government.

“We do not want to walk down the same path as our West Malaysian brothers where religious contention is always brewing beneath the surface of superficial serenity,” she said.

The Sarawak DAP committee member also called for Unifor to look into a possible standard operating procedure (SOP) to be enacted for conversion out of Islam, so as to heed the religious freedom that our “forefathers had put in place for the state”.

“Unifor should call together heads of all religious units to address the root cause of contention and to seek a solution which is workable for all.” -FMT