Heng lauds decision on unilateral conversion

PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA has applauded High Court judge Datuk Azizah Nawawi’s decision to quash the unilateral conversion to Islam of two minor Buddhist children by their convert mother.

In a statement, its chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie said MCA’s stand had always been that the religion of minor children must be agreed upon by both parents.

“Justice Datuk Azizah’s order will also discourage muallaf from exploiting and thereby misusing the Syariah court and religious authorities (in order) to be awarded custody of their children,” said Heng.

“Such exemplary conduct must be emulated by all judges hearing cases where one party embraces Islam, as well as legal suits involving conflicts with religious authorities or government instructions that affect the freedom of non-Muslims.”

On Tuesday, the High Court had allowed a judicial review application by a Buddhist man and quashed the unilateral conversion of his two children by their Muslim mother.

Justice Azizah Nawawi said it was not in dispute that the conversion of the children, now aged five and 10, was not done by both parents.

The judge said she was bound by the Federal Court’s judgment, vis-avis the case of kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi, that both parents must give consent when converting their children to Islam.