Chua: Clarify how conversion Bill was allowed to pass, causing unnecessary disputes

(The Star) – Non-Muslim Cabinet members should give the people an explanation as to how they allowed the controversial Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 to be passed unanimously by the Cabinet, said MCA.

Its president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said although they welcomed the decision by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to withdraw the Bill, he said the Bill had triggered many unnecessary controversies.

“The move to withdraw the Bill shows that the Government listens to the people and that it has heeded the people’s aspirations.

“However, I believe that the Bill was thoroughly deliberated in the Cabinet before it was tabled for first reading in Parliament.

“I cannot understand how the non-Muslim Cabinet ministers were not aware about the differences in using the term of ‘mother or father’ and ‘parents’ in Section 107(b) of the Bill until it was passed by the Cabinet for tabling in the Parliament,” he said yesterday.

He said the move would also cost the Barisan Nasional Government its image, therefore the non-Muslims Cabinet members have the responsibility to explain to the public.

“We also support the call that Section 95 of the Administration of Islamic Laws (FT) Act 1993, which also uses the same wordings of ‘mother or father’, and other relevant state enactments, be amended so that conversion of a minor would need the consent of both parents,” he said.

Various groups have voiced their opposition to the Bill, which includes a controversial provision allowing a child to be converted with the consent of only one parent.

The Bill was withdrawn yesterday from Parliament following a motion by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

Two other related Bills – the Syariah Court Civil Procedure (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2013 and Syariah Criminal Procedures (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2013 – were also withdrawn.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said it was good the Bill was retracted in the interest of religious harmony.

“Now we will have more time to iron out what’s not accepted by all races,” he said adding that MCA wants the word “parent” (ibu atau bapa) in the Bill to be replaced with “parents” (ibu dan bapa), in line with the Federal Constitution.