Selangor Umno wants unilateral conversion bill tabled next sitting

Selangor Umno wants the amendment to the Islamic Religious Administration Enactment (State of Selangor) to allow unilateral child conversion to be tabled in the upcoming state assembly sitting in November.

Selangor Umno chief Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan (photo, above) said its five assemblypersons are ready to support Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari on the matter.

"If possible, we hope the bill can be tabled in the upcoming sitting and freedom will be given to our assemblypersons (to support) because we have no problem supporting the menteri besar to ensure the bill is passed," he told a press conference at the Selangor Umno headquarters in Shah Alam today.

Mat Nadzari claimed there would be "deviant" parties who will object to the bill.

The bill was to be tabled in the Selangor state assembly during the state assembly sitting last month but did not materialise after Selangor speaker Ng Suee Lim cut short the session.

Ng had denied his move to cut the sitting from 12 days to two days was aimed at scuttling the bill, insisting that he had complied with House procedure.

Sources had told Malaysiakini the majority of Pakatan Harapan state assemblypersons were opposed to the amendment but Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari had tried topush through with the amendment on the grounds that it was the wish of the Selangor palace.

Ng's manoeuvre led to talks about his removal as the Selangor speaker among Amirudin's allies but this was later denied.

After the issue went public, Amirudin said there was "wisdom" to Ng's move and said the Selangor ruler is now reviewing the amendment. 

At present, the enactment reads that those below 18 must obtain the consent of his or her "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 but 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 is needed for the conversion of minors.

Mat Nadzari also elaborated on Umno's cooperation with PAS, promising that the alliance will not sideline BN partners MCA and MIC.

"We discussed at length yesterday and they understand the bigger objective to regain power in Selangor," he said.

On a separate issue, Mat Nadzari said Umno was in no position to help troubled Utusan Malaysia due to a lack of funds.

However, he said Selangor Umno will organise fundraising for the newspaper, which is expected to stop print publication tomorrow. - Mkini