Gov't 'studying' anti-apostasy law proposal

The government is studying a proposal for a new law to punish those who convert Muslims, according to Jamil Khir Baharom, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"We are studying a few matters because it concerns federal and state jurisdiction... We'll see how it goes," Berita Harian quoted him as saying in a report today.

In the report, Jamil said constitutional amendments would be involved at both levels of government, and that these have to be studied to prevent conflicts in law, if the proposal is implemented.

The statement comes two days after some 5,000 people converged at Stadium Shah Alam for an anti-apotasy rally organised by Himpun.

Himpun came up with a 10-point declaration, one of which called for a new law to curb proselytising to Muslims.

The rally was organised in response to what organisers claimed to be controversies involving ‘Christianisation’.

On Aug 3, the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) had conducted ‘an inspection’ at a multi-racial thanksgiving dinner organised by welfare NGO Harapan Komunity at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.

Jais claimed to be acting on information that the organiser wasproselytising to Muslims.

Following a probe, the Selangor sultan declared there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the 12 Muslims who were at the dinner, but directed that they receive counselling.