(Malaysiakini) Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will investigate the religious status of the father of the boy who was caned for bringing fried rice with pork sausages to school.
Minister in Prime Minister Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday evening that Jakim's probe into the matter will resolve the queries brought up by Zulkifli Noordin (IND-Kulim Bandar Baru) during the committee stage debate of the Supply Bill 2011.
Zulkifli caused a stir yesterday morning when he accused Islamist party PAS of endorsing Muslims to eat pork which is forbidden in Islam.
The parliamentarian asserted that the boy's father is a Muslim who goes by the name of Norazman Abdullah @ Beginda anak Minda, and that it was "not proper" for a Muslim's son to have taken pork to school.
But before Mohd Nazri (BN-Padang Rengas) could proceed further Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) interjected and informed that he has in his possession the birth certificate of the boy in question which showed that the father had “no religion”.
“I contact the boy's mother and she scanned the birth certificate and emailed it over to me but that is not the issue in concern,” said Chong.
“The issue is a 10-year-old boy being punished for taking a meal prepared by his mother to school... imagine how would the boy feel and is now wondering what went wrong?” he added.
Minister in Prime Minister Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday evening that Jakim's probe into the matter will resolve the queries brought up by Zulkifli Noordin (IND-Kulim Bandar Baru) during the committee stage debate of the Supply Bill 2011.
Zulkifli caused a stir yesterday morning when he accused Islamist party PAS of endorsing Muslims to eat pork which is forbidden in Islam.
The parliamentarian asserted that the boy's father is a Muslim who goes by the name of Norazman Abdullah @ Beginda anak Minda, and that it was "not proper" for a Muslim's son to have taken pork to school.
But before Mohd Nazri (BN-Padang Rengas) could proceed further Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) interjected and informed that he has in his possession the birth certificate of the boy in question which showed that the father had “no religion”.
“I contact the boy's mother and she scanned the birth certificate and emailed it over to me but that is not the issue in concern,” said Chong.
“The issue is a 10-year-old boy being punished for taking a meal prepared by his mother to school... imagine how would the boy feel and is now wondering what went wrong?” he added.
Zulkifli: So is the father an apostate?
He also said that Zulkifli should be referred to the parliamentary rights and privileges committee for misleading and confusing the House under Standing Orders 36(12) with incorrect information.
Zulkifli stood up to rebut Chong's charge, which led to Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee announcing that his officers are checking through the Hansard for the exact transcript of what transpired during the verbal tiff yesterday morning.
Following this, Zulkifli said that if the father is now an “apostate” there is a bigger problem at hand and it must be thoroughly investigated.
Nazri also conceded that the boy should not have been meted a harsh punishment for bringing the food item school but adds Jakim will still probe into the religion of the father.
“We don't point fingers at anyone for what happened in Sarawak. Let's leave it to relevant authorities to investigate it. I assure you that it will be done properly."
Non-Muslim groups can consult Rulers
On another matter, relation to a question posed by Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) Mohd Nazri said that there are occasion when people who become Muslim converts to win custody battles and other purposes.
In these cases the authorities has to refer the matter to the Conference of Rulers, said Nazri, as it is under their purview.
“Discussing will continue to proceed until we can convince the Conference of Rulers that Islam is sometimes being misused.
“This aggravates the sentiments among non-Muslim who are unable to proceed anywhere until the matter is solve as some convert (do so) just to escape responsibility,” Mohd Nazri.
As it is a sensitive matter it cannot be solved easily but Mohd Nazri mooted an idea for other religious groups such Hindu Sangam and the Catholic Church groups approach the Conference of Rulers to talk over the issue of conversion.
“There is no harm there. Although they are non-Muslims, they are also subjects of the crown. I think these (groups) will also be able to help us if (they) meet with the Conference of Rulers and the Sultans in the respective states.
“This issue must be solved. It cannot be swept under the carpet. There moderates must seize the opportunity and do our part,” he conceded.
Zulkifli stood up to rebut Chong's charge, which led to Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee announcing that his officers are checking through the Hansard for the exact transcript of what transpired during the verbal tiff yesterday morning.
Following this, Zulkifli said that if the father is now an “apostate” there is a bigger problem at hand and it must be thoroughly investigated.
Nazri also conceded that the boy should not have been meted a harsh punishment for bringing the food item school but adds Jakim will still probe into the religion of the father.
“We don't point fingers at anyone for what happened in Sarawak. Let's leave it to relevant authorities to investigate it. I assure you that it will be done properly."
Non-Muslim groups can consult Rulers
On another matter, relation to a question posed by Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) Mohd Nazri said that there are occasion when people who become Muslim converts to win custody battles and other purposes.
In these cases the authorities has to refer the matter to the Conference of Rulers, said Nazri, as it is under their purview.
“Discussing will continue to proceed until we can convince the Conference of Rulers that Islam is sometimes being misused.
“This aggravates the sentiments among non-Muslim who are unable to proceed anywhere until the matter is solve as some convert (do so) just to escape responsibility,” Mohd Nazri.
As it is a sensitive matter it cannot be solved easily but Mohd Nazri mooted an idea for other religious groups such Hindu Sangam and the Catholic Church groups approach the Conference of Rulers to talk over the issue of conversion.
“There is no harm there. Although they are non-Muslims, they are also subjects of the crown. I think these (groups) will also be able to help us if (they) meet with the Conference of Rulers and the Sultans in the respective states.
“This issue must be solved. It cannot be swept under the carpet. There moderates must seize the opportunity and do our part,” he conceded.
Why Special Court is special
Meanwhile Bernama reported that in answering a question by Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) as to why Special Court proceedings were held behind closed doors, Nazri said that this was to uphold the dignity of the royalty institution.
He said this was provided for under Section 4(A) of the rules of the Special Court.
"Members of the royalty had asked for this before the laws on the Special Court were promulgated. Parliament agreed but on condition the decisions are made public," he said when winding debate on the Supply Bill 2011 for the Prime Minister's Department in the Dewan Rakyat today.
According to Nazri, only the judges, lawyers, witnesses and authorised persons could be present at Special Court proceedings.
To another question from Karpal Singh, Nazri said the laws on the Special Court clearly stated that its decisions were final and non-appealable.
He said this was provided for under Section 4(A) of the rules of the Special Court.
"Members of the royalty had asked for this before the laws on the Special Court were promulgated. Parliament agreed but on condition the decisions are made public," he said when winding debate on the Supply Bill 2011 for the Prime Minister's Department in the Dewan Rakyat today.
According to Nazri, only the judges, lawyers, witnesses and authorised persons could be present at Special Court proceedings.
To another question from Karpal Singh, Nazri said the laws on the Special Court clearly stated that its decisions were final and non-appealable.
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