AS Low Siew Hong gained custody of her three children after being held by the Perak Welfare Department, Perlis mufti Datuk Asri Zainul Abidin vowed to defend the kids’ unilateral conversion to Islam.
This comes despite him being in know that in 2018, the Federal Court had ruled that those below the age of 18 can only be converted with the consent of both parents.
But it seems another influential person is also attempting to divert the people’s attention from the apex court’s verdict, and the person is none other than Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s (Islamic Affairs) Department Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
Yesterday, he urged all parties to state laws on the matter of religious conversion.
“Some states require the consent of one parent and some states require consent from both parents.
“On this matter, we respect the conditions decided by the states because the matter (Islamic personal and family law) is under state jurisdiction, and the conditions decided are based on the views of the ulama and legitimate fatwas,” Malaysiakini reported him as saying, without mentioning the Federal Court ruling.
However, netizens were aghast over his purported ignorance on constitutional matters and hurled brickbats at the Chepa MP.
User Lam Chee Keong said:
Echoing Lam’s sentiments, user Silvadas Annamalai stated:
Netizen Charles Wong added:
Yesterday, the High Court allowed Loh’s habeas corpus to recover the custody of her children, which in effect, quashed the illegal detention of the kids by the Perlis welfare department.
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah reminded all quarters that the earlier court orders in 2017 and 2020, which granted sole custody of the children to Loh were still in effect, and should not be treated with impunity or risk being in contempt of court.
“The three children are to be released forthwith to the sole custody, care and control of the applicant (Loh),” Sequerah said during an open-court proceedings.
Remember your oath!
It is still uncertain whether Loh would approach the courts to quash her children’s unilateral conversion but Asri had made it clear he would defend their conversion.
On that note, user Pearl Long said claimed that Ahmad Marzuk has lost the plot on the entire situation altogether.
Netizen Yip Wah Kong reminded the PAS leader of his oath taken when sworn in as a deputy minister, where he swore to protect the sanctity of the Federal Constitution.
“Oath of Office and Allegiance…’I, ………………………, having been elected (or appointed) to the office of ……………….. do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge the duties of that office to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Malaysia, and will preserve, protect and defend its Constitution.” – Feb 22, 2022.
