Politik, Legislatif, Dasar dan Tadbir Urus

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism is appealing to the Malay Rulers for "justice and fair-play" in cases of forced conversions. Council president Datuk A.Vaithilingam told a press conference recently that "we will go through the appropriate procedure by writing an appeal to the rulers to consider the plight of non-Muslims caught in controversial religious conversions and in the application of the Syariah court rules as well as the actions carried out by Islamic religious bodies on non-Muslims". He also stressed the council's stand against conversion of any child aged below 18, unless with both parents' consent. "In the case of a (non-Muslim) married couple with children, where one spouse converts, he or she has no right to convert the children until the civil court decides on divorce, custody and alimony. Because they were married under the Civil Marriages Act, the Syariah Court has no power over t...

The Cabinet decision putting an end to the conversion of children has been lauded by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism "The cabinet's decision is most welcomed but it is a long way to go." said the body's president Datuk A. Vaithilingam who appealed to Perak Syariah Court and Religious Department to accept the Cabinet decision positively and withdraw its decision and conversion of M Indira Gandhi's three children. "We are still unsure if the decision is for immediate practice and whether it is valid for Indira's children, but we hope the Perak Syariah Court and Religious department will abide by it as it is a more amicable decision. " Vaithilingam told theSun in a telephone interview today. "We are very thankful to PM and DPM who had shown their concern on this matter and responded well," Vaithilingam said. "Special thanks to Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon for his tireless effort in this m...