Zahid backs appeal against illegitimate kid’s case

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi agrees with the move made by the National Registration Department ( NRD) to file an appeal against the case of an illegitimate Muslim child to the Federal Court.

The Deputy Prime Minister said at the moment, the NRD was carrying out its tasks according to the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Affairs’ ruling which did not allow children conceived out of wedlock to take the name of the father.

“We know a law is a law. The Home Ministry, especially the NRD, should adhere to the decision of the National Fatwa Council and as such, we are appealing to a higher court so that the decision (of the Court of Appeal) is cancelled as only legitimate children can be named after the father,” he said yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said Muslims should be united to ensure any decision made by the Council is not challenged by any party or other legal system.

“We are not against other reli- gions, but matters pertaining to Islam should not be touched on. Let Muslims manage the affairs of their religion,” he added.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in its judgment allowed an appeal by a couple to file for judicial review to force the NRD director-general to replace the bin or binti Abdullah in their child’s names to the name of the father in the birth certificate.

NRD director-general Datuk Mohd Yazid Ramli on Friday said any amendments to the current implementation would only be con- sidered after obtaining the decision of the Federal Court and any action by the NRD was in line with the decision of the National Council’s Fatwa Committee.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had also requested the Attorney-General’s Chambers to represent the Federal Government in the appeal to Federal Court and for the matter to be debated holistically without turning against Islamic laws and principles. — Bernama