Monday, July 1, 2013

Government assures all parties will be consulted on Child Conversion Bill



The Government has assured that all parties would be consulted before making any decision on the controversial Administration of Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Cabinet had discussed the matter extensively and was aware that a fair decision should be made for both the Muslim and the non-Muslim communities.

"We realise that the issue involves Muslims and the non-Muslims and we have discussed the matter in detail during our Cabinet meeting.

"Any decision that will be made should be based on an earlier Court decisions, as well as provisions under the Federal Constitution," he told a press conference in Parliament after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers on Monday.

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"Any decision that will be made should be based on an earlier Court decisions, as well as provisions under the Federal Constitution," he told a press conference in Parliament after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers on Monday.

Muhyiddin was asked to comment on Clause 107 of the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which is expected to be tabled for its second reading this session.

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

They said that the provision was not only unconstitutional but went against an April 2009 Cabinet decision, whereby children of an estranged couple should remain in the common religion at the time of their marriage should one of the parents convert.

Asked if the Bill was against an earlier Cabinet decision in 2009, Muhyiddin said that the government will review and study the matter and will soon be addressed in the Dewan Rakyat by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.


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