A MCA leader fired a salvo at DAP’s father-and-son team for failing to criticise Islamic ally PAS over the cabinet policy to ban parents from secretly converting children in a case that has strained race relations.
MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai said both DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and his son, DAP secretary-general Guan Eng, appeared to have nothing to say about PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar’s criticism of the cabinet’s common religion ruling.
He pointed out that unlike DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, both father and son have failed to make clear their stand on the decision.
Liow added that DAP seems to have two opinions on the issue – Karpal’s and the Lims’.
“The cabinet decision was a way to resolve the long outstanding problem in accordance with the multiracial aspirations of the country
“MCA is disappointed that both Lims did not take any stand on the matter,” said the Penang MCA chief after chairing a party state liaison committee meeting in Georgetown today.
Mahfuz has slammed last month’s cabinet ruling that children of divorced parents should be raised in the religion of the time of their marriage should one of them were to later convert to another religion.
Karpal has hit back at Mahfuz for his “unjustified attack on the cabinet decision”. He said the ruling was pragmatic, reasonable and in accordance with the considerations of justice.
“Non-Muslims who embrace Islam should not do so for the purpose of defeating the rights of their non-Muslim spouse, or in any way affect the rights of children born during their marriage,” said Karpal.
The DAP chairperson however added that the aspect to be considered was whether the cabinet’s decision, which was an executive act, could override or supersede the Federal Court.
Muslim convert puts cabinet order to test
The Federal Court had on Dec 27, 2007 ruled that the husband of R Subashini, T Saravanan, a Muslim convert, had the right to convert his child - who was under 18 - to Islam, without the agreement from his non-Muslim spouse.
The cabinet decision two weeks ago is thus set to be tested by the highest court of the land if the current laws and enactments are not amended to provide clear interpretation on matters related to such conversion cases, according to those in the legal circles.
The cabinet move is seen by many as a move to alleviate the frustration of affected parents when their children had been converted to another religion without their knowledge and consent.
A judicial test on the cabinet ruling is already on the cards as a Muslim convert has challenged its decision in court.
In the latest religious dispute to erupt, 35-year-old kindergarten teacher Indira Gandhi from Ipoh may lose custody to her children after her estranged husband, Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, formerly K Patmanathan, converted them - aged 12, 11 and one - without her knowledge.
"This (cabinet) ruling contradicts the federal constitution, it is illegal and not applicable on Muslims, including myself and my children," the Muslim convert said in a court document filed on April 28 opposing the cabinet order.
MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai said both DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and his son, DAP secretary-general Guan Eng, appeared to have nothing to say about PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar’s criticism of the cabinet’s common religion ruling.
He pointed out that unlike DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, both father and son have failed to make clear their stand on the decision.
Liow added that DAP seems to have two opinions on the issue – Karpal’s and the Lims’.
“The cabinet decision was a way to resolve the long outstanding problem in accordance with the multiracial aspirations of the country
“MCA is disappointed that both Lims did not take any stand on the matter,” said the Penang MCA chief after chairing a party state liaison committee meeting in Georgetown today.
Mahfuz has slammed last month’s cabinet ruling that children of divorced parents should be raised in the religion of the time of their marriage should one of them were to later convert to another religion.
Karpal has hit back at Mahfuz for his “unjustified attack on the cabinet decision”. He said the ruling was pragmatic, reasonable and in accordance with the considerations of justice.
“Non-Muslims who embrace Islam should not do so for the purpose of defeating the rights of their non-Muslim spouse, or in any way affect the rights of children born during their marriage,” said Karpal.
The DAP chairperson however added that the aspect to be considered was whether the cabinet’s decision, which was an executive act, could override or supersede the Federal Court.
Muslim convert puts cabinet order to test
The Federal Court had on Dec 27, 2007 ruled that the husband of R Subashini, T Saravanan, a Muslim convert, had the right to convert his child - who was under 18 - to Islam, without the agreement from his non-Muslim spouse.
The cabinet decision two weeks ago is thus set to be tested by the highest court of the land if the current laws and enactments are not amended to provide clear interpretation on matters related to such conversion cases, according to those in the legal circles.
The cabinet move is seen by many as a move to alleviate the frustration of affected parents when their children had been converted to another religion without their knowledge and consent.
A judicial test on the cabinet ruling is already on the cards as a Muslim convert has challenged its decision in court.
In the latest religious dispute to erupt, 35-year-old kindergarten teacher Indira Gandhi from Ipoh may lose custody to her children after her estranged husband, Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, formerly K Patmanathan, converted them - aged 12, 11 and one - without her knowledge.
"This (cabinet) ruling contradicts the federal constitution, it is illegal and not applicable on Muslims, including myself and my children," the Muslim convert said in a court document filed on April 28 opposing the cabinet order.
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