PETALING JAYA: Two DAP leaders said today that the proposed amendment to allow unilateral conversion of minors to Islam in Selangor is unconstitutional.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party’s stand is to abide by the Federal Court ruling on the M Indira Gandhi case, which upheld that the word “parent” in the Federal Constitution constitutes both the parents of a child.
“This is a provision in the Federal Constitution and a judgment of the Federal Court. Any conversion cannot be unilateral and must be bilateral,” said Lim.
“Therefore, we must respect the protection given by the Federal Constitution.”
Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo echoed Lim, saying the party will not give its support for any bills in the state assembly that allow for the unilateral conversion of minors.
In a statement, Gobind said it is constitutionally guaranteed that both parents have the individual right to decide on the religion of their children who are minors.
He also supported state assembly speaker Ng Suee Lim’s decision to adjourn the last sitting of the Selangor assembly, adding that he did not violate any provisions or rules of the state assembly.
“He has explained that he adjourned the house in accordance with the Standing Orders and that all agendas had been settled then,” he said.
“As such, it was entirely in order for him to adjourn the house, as he did.”
News reports said there was a proposed amendment in the Selangor state assembly recently to allow the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam in the state.
Four non-Muslim state executive councillors held an audience earlier today with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, at Istana Bukit Kayangan to raise this issue, along with other matters.
A source from Selangor PH told FMT yesterday that PH leaders have also asked Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari for an immediate meeting.
It has been speculated that the proposed amendment is to strengthen certain leaders’ political power among the Malay voters, as cracks between PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and his deputy, Mohamed Azmin Ali, have emerged after a gay sex video surfaced in June. - FMT
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