CONVERSION of minors is a very sensitive issue in Malaysia. The latest to stir the hornet’s nest is former DAP stalwart Ronnie Liu Thian Khiew.
The former Selangor state EXCO member had highlighted the matter of student vulnerability to inducement and coercions, institutional failures within the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) as well as long-term hardships for the converted student among other issues.
“Minority groups do not oppose fully voluntary, adult, informed conversion; all grievances centre on secret, underage, pressured or financially induced conversions enabled on campus,” the Malay language MYNEWSHUB cited the 68-year-old former Sungai Pelek state assemblyman in a Facebook post.
Editor’s Note: In Malaysia, anyone under the age of 18 is legally considered a minor. Governed by the Age of Majority Act 1971, minors are protected by laws like the Child Act 2001 for they generally lack the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts or make independent legal decisions.
Given the nature of the issue, it has certainly elicited plenty of emotional and angry responses, especially from the rightist faction who view Liu’s stance as “biadap” (uncouth).
‘You’re not wanted here’
An example of such views can be gleaned from the MYNEWSHUB FB post which featured a purported ChatGPT-translated version of Liu’s post in the national language.
The post has generated 8.8K likes, 8.5K comments and 2.1K shares at the time of writing, an indication that Liu’s viewpoints are yet another landmine ready to explode in the already overheated 3R (race, religion and royalty) landscape.
There were many calls for the authorities to take action against the former National DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) member with many tagging the police as well as Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Some though were not content with legal action as they called on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to strip the erstwhile ex-DAP veteran of his citizenship, no less.
This was also seen as yet another example of the former DAP politician daring to challenge royalty with one commenter pointing to his impassioned defence of illegal durian farmers in Raub, Pahang as precedence.
It was quite evident from the various comments from this demographic that they had neither taken the time to read the statement, much less understand the issues raised by Liu.
Instead, they were busy barking about Liu and other ‘pendatang’ (illegal aliens) not understanding the Federal Constitution when he was highlighting that the constitutional rights of non-Muslims were being impacted upon.
The racist language continued unabated with many showing little understanding of the issue being highlighted by Liu. Many were content to use this as yet another example of the non-Muslims not knowing their place in the grand scheme of things.
There were plenty of calls for Liu and other like-minded citizens to pack their bags and “be sent home” or move elsewhere.
As can be seen, the emotions of the far-right demographic is easily stirred. Despite the fact that the case in question revolves around the conversion of underaged non-Muslim students to Islam, the narrative is spun to somehow suggest that it is the rights of Muslims that are being called into question.
This is despite Liu having made made it clear that his statement was not against consenting adults who freely convert but about the peer pressure and even legality surrounding the conversion of potentially underaged students within the halls of public tertiary institutions.
After all, his contention is that the constitutional rights of non-Muslims that are being affected, not the other way round.
But don’t let the facts get in the way of self-righteous, rightist anger and indignation. – June 22, 2026
