|
©New
Sraits Times (Used by permission)
GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has called on the government to immediately convene the
joint committee of civil and syariah lawyers to address issues relating to
conversion to Islam.
The party's acting president, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said
the meeting was necessary to enable the lawyers to discuss and recommend proper
measures.
"They need to formulate, clarify and rectify procedures relating to marriage
between Muslim and non-Muslim, conversion, custody of children and burial rites
after death," he said.
The committee was formed to work out solutions following several controversies
relating to Muslim converts after death or breakdown of marriages.
"It is urgent to reconvene the committee which I am told has not met for some
time."
"There will be controversies and even conflicts over family matters related to
religious conversion if the issues are left unresolved."
The problem would continue to haunt the multi-religious society in the country
if left unresolved, he added.
Koh's statement comes in the wake of the forum organised by the Bar Council
relating to conversion to Islam. It was cut short following a protest by Muslim
groups.
In a statement issued here yesterday, Koh also condemned the fire-bombing of the
former home of Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. The house is now
owned by Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
"It is regrettable that some members of political parties were involved in the
almost violent demonstration," he said.
"We should be aware of sensitivities about religions by all believers.
Therefore, all politicians must take a rational approach to look at how to fine
tune the relevant laws and procedures to avoid or minimise potential
inter-religious controversies and conflicts."
Bar Council 'failed to heed ministry warning'
KOTA TINGGI: The Home Ministry has warned the Bar Council to stop organising
open forums on sensitive issues as they could trigger tension.
Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said such forums did not
benefit anyone and could create public anger and confusion which could result in
unrest.
He said numerous quarters had urged him to use the Internal Security Act (ISA)
and Sedition Act against the individuals involved in organising the open forum.
Syed Hamid said although the ISA was not to be used wantonly, the ministry would
not hesitate to use it against those who posed a threat to the country's
security and safety.
"I had warned the Bar Council not to proceed with the open forum but they chose
to ignore my warning. What is it that they want to conclude from such a forum?"
Syed Hamid was referring to the Bar Council's open forum on
conversion to Islam which was stopped on the advice of the police an hour after
it started on Saturday.
Some 30 non-governmental organisations had turned up at Lebuh Pasar outside the
council's premises to protest the staging of the forum.
'PM has pledged to find solution'
TAIPING: The subject of conversion to Islam was discussed at length at the last
Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi had given an assurance to find a solution to the issue.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who said this, added
that Abdullah had promised to come up with a solution which would not hurt
Muslims or non-Muslims.
"The BN component party leaders had already discussed the issue with the prime
minister and I raised the matter in the cabinet meeting when I was the
minister," he said after opening a workshop on the rebranding of the MIC at
Bukit Merah near here yesterday.
A total of 165 MIC branch leaders from Penang Island and Taiping, Larut and
Parit Buntar divisons in Perak attended the one-day workshop.
Samy Vellu made the comment in response to questions by reporters on the Bar
Council's forum on conversion to Islam in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
The forum, scheduled for half a day, was called off after an
hour following strong protest from Muslim groups.
Samy Vellu said: "There should be a more sensible approach to settle the issue
and it should not be debated in public.
"Such issues should be discussed behind closed doors where Muslims and
non-Muslims can raise their grievances. The public forum on Saturday did not
benefit any party and angered certain groups."
Najib: Don't take unity for granted
By : Azura Abas and Shuhada Elis
KUALA LUMPUR: Public discussions on sensitive issues like conversions to Islam
would only invite trouble, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
The deputy prime minister said the government had foreseen
that the Bar Council's open forum on religious conversions on Saturday would
provoke a backlash.
"I said don't do it openly. If one still proceeds to do so, it will certainly
cause strong reactions. But they are stubborn," he said after launching the
Bumiputera Property Convention and Exhibition 2008 yesterday.
The Bar Council cut short the half-day forum after an hour on police advice
after hundreds arrived to protest against the event.
Some 30 Muslim non-governmental organisations and political parties gathered in
stages in front of the council's premises here.
Asked whether the Internal Security Act would be used in
connection with the incident, Najib said he left it to the police and the Home
Ministry.
The deputy prime minister then appealed to Malaysians not to take unity for
granted.
"We live in a multicultural society in which people of different backgrounds are
able to coexist peacefully. This is possible because we have been tolerant and
respectful of the sensitivities of different races under the guidance of the
Constitution.
"If we try to question basic matters, of course, it will spark a backlash from
other groups and could cause friction which threatens the country's peace."
 |
Committees 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Registration Brochure
