The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism has appealed to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to urgently address the problem created by the dual-legal system (Civil and Syariah) in the country that has created hardship for non-Muslim citizens.
In a memorandum to the prime minister, the council expressed deep concern over cases where non-Muslims had no legal recourse to address their grievances.
It said this “denial of justice is completely untenable in law and totally inconsistent with the Federal Constitution and furthermore, tarnishes Malaysia’s good standing and reputation”.
The memorandum expressed fear that if the current situation was not resolved, it would accelerate the pace of social disunity and division.
The memorandum outlined several measures that could help to resolve the issue., one of which was to repeal Article 121(1A) and restore the pre-1988 Article 121.
The council also handed a letter to SUHAKAM (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) on the same issue. The letter stated several resolutions, and among them is that non-Malay converts have the right to revert to their former religion or enter any other religion of their choice.
The other resolutions included:
• Protection for the rightful inheritance and property of the non-Muslim family members.
• A minor’s conversion must have the written consent of both parents or all guardians.
• Any enforcement by the Islamic Religious Department should be accompanied with compassion and sensitivity towards the people. The manner in which the various state religious authorities enforces Islamic law is a grave concern.
• A plea to the Attorney-General and AG’s chambers to act in the public interest in “Moorthy’s case” and all similar cases, and to equally represent the rights of all citizens with full regards to the entrenched values of equality in the Federal Constitution irrespective of race and religion.
• Issues of faith should be removed from the governmental sphere. What is important is what a person “professes” or acknowledges himself to be. It should not be up to any authority – religious or otherwise – to “authorise” conversions.
• An adult who undertakes a conversion should be made obligated to inform his/her spouse in civil marriage.
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