DAP MP urges govt to remove ‘Islam’ from 137 Orang Asli’s IC

DAP’s Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham has urged the government to act administratively to rectify the status of 137 Orang Asli from the Bateq Mayah ethnic group by removing the word “Islam” from their identity cards.

Ngeh’s response came after the Kuantan High Court on Tuesday (Oct 3) struck out a lawsuit by the group of Orang Asli to nullify their Islamic status following an alleged unlawful mass conversion 30 years ago.

Ngeh (above), in a statement yesterday, asserted that the government must uphold the freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 11 (1) of the Federal Constitution.

“They (the Orang Asli) obviously do not profess or practice the religion of Islam. Their suit was struck out on technical grounds.

“There must be no compulsion in religion. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are inalienable rights of a human being,” he said.

The former Perak DAP chief stressed that Putrajaya does not have the moral standing to pass any remark on religious freedom in other parts of the world if the situation surrounding religious freedom in the country is not rectified.

“Article 18 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

“This right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Striking out bid

Previously, the Kuantan High Court allowed an application by five of the six defendants, namely the federal government, the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), its director and officer, and the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP).

The other defendant, the Pahang state government, did not file the striking-out bid but supported the other five defendants’ nullification bids, resulting in the entire writ of summons being struck out without it being subjected to full trial.

Another reason cited was that the issues raised in the civil action come under the jurisdiction of the Pahang Syariah Court and not that of the Kuantan Civil Court.

Previously filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Sept 28 last year, the matter was later transferred to the Kuantan High Court on May 30 this year.

The lawsuit alleged that the wrongful and illegal conversion was carried out at the Orang Asli’s home at Kampung Benchah Kelubi, Merapoh in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, in April 1993. - Mkini