Two NGOs reminded Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg of a promise he made in 2018, that the latter would amend laws and provide clear guidelines for converts to obtain Letter of Release from Islam through an administrative process instead of seeking court decision.
"We want the Sarawak premier to fulfil his promise to amend state laws on conversion, following a court case involving several people seeking to have their conversion to Islam reversed," said Peter John Jaban and Bill Jugah, in a joint statement.
Peter is the deputy president of Global Human Rights Federation, while Bill is the founder of the Independent Coalition of Natives (Icon).
The duo said this following a recent case reported by Malaysiakini, in which a 17-year-old Sabah-born teen, now residing in Sarawak, contended that his Muslim father has no objections to him being a Buddhist.
Set to turn 18 next month, the boy made the declaration in his affidavit to support his Buddhist mother’s legal challenge against the National Registration Department’s (NRD) alleged delay in changing his religious status on his MyKad.
The boy's parents divorced when he was four and he has since been raised as a Buddhist, while his father has remarried and has a new family.
On March 3, 2018, Abang Johari (above) announced that Sarawak would amend state laws on conversion, following a court case involving three people seeking to have their conversion to Islam reversed.
He also said the amendments would be made to existing state's religious law providing an administrative solution for apostates.
"We will amend any weaknesses in our Syariah laws in dealing with apostasy cases. There must be a SOP (standard operating procedure) because we cannot leave people hanging.
"Give me six months to do this. Sarawak must have a liberal and practical policy," Abang Johari was reported as saying.
‘Syariah Court taking too long’
Under the existing scenario, Peter said the Syariah Court was taking too long in deciding on such matters, adding there was no certainty as to whether the converts could be released from the religion.
"Most of the process now is in the Syariah Court, so far, no cases have been completed," he said.
Meanwhile, Bill said he had encountered close to 20 individual cases related to such issues.
"These are mainly arising from divorce cases, and the majority affected are women in their productive, child-bearing age.
"Once they are divorced from their Muslim spouses, they face social stigma and are shunned by potential suitors from their own community or future husbands because of their religious status.
"It’s much better to simply release these cases instead of dragging on," Bill said. - Mkini
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