FOR nearly a week, a human rights organisation has raised alarms about purported covert efforts to convert non-Muslim teenagers.
However, former deputy law minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin asserts that according to Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution, converting individuals under 18 requires parental consent.
“While Islam may have its own view on the conversion of underage non-Muslims to Islam under hukum syarak, Muslims in this country, however, have a constitutional duty to adhere to and respect Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution, which provides for parents or guardians to determine the religion of a person below the age of 18,” he wrote in a column for a local news portal.
The former deputy minister cites relevant provisions that stated the religion of a person under the age of 18 shall be decided by his parent or guardian.
“While our courts seem to have different opinions in construing the term “parent” in Article 12(4) as to whether it should be interpreted as plural or singular, the fact remains that any conversion of a person under 18 must obtain parental consent. Period!” he said.
The controversy erupted after Chinese Muslim convert preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung posted a video on TikTok in which he allegedly taught non-Muslim teens how to convert in a covert manner.
His video caught the attention of human rights groups such as the Global Human Rights Federation.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said in his view that Firdaus is encouraging people to do something illegal.
“Just imagine someone openly telling others to commit rape and murder. It’s a very disgusting and low-class thing to do.” – June 9, 2024
