Clearing the air on conversions
Sunday January 15, 2006
Clearing the air on conversions
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad will look into matters involving the legal aspects of religious conversions, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Government was compiling views on religious matters, including conversions, from all parties including non-governmental organisations, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
“The Government wants to reach a conclusion that is fair and satisfactory to everyone.
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ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Najib chatting with Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (second from left) during a photo session before opening the leadership course in Ulu Klang yesterday.
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He was commenting on a memorandum by several NGOs, including the Malaysian Ulama Association, calling on the Government not to repeal Article 121 (1A) of the Constitution, while giving non-Muslims representation in the Syariah courts.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that matters concerning religious conversion needed to be made clear in the Federal Constitution and other laws to prevent confusion among Malaysians.
On Dec 28, the High Court ruled that it would not disturb the declaration that the late Mount Everest climber Sjn M. Moorthy was a Muslim because the matter was under the Syariah court.
The ruling had drawn much attention as to the role of the civil court in such matters.
In Kuala Terengganu, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin urged the press not to misconstrue the “euphoria of freedom” given by the Prime Minister.
He said certain newspapers had gone beyond the limit in reporting a recent issue involving Islam.
“They had touched on a sensitive area, which was previously left untouched.
“The press should not get carried away with this so-called new freedom to the extent of forgetting the underlying principles which strengthen our economy,” he said.
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