Nazri: A-G finalising study on civil-syariah courts’ overlapping of power
B. Suresh Ram and Pauline Puah

KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General (A-G)’s Chambers is finalising its study on the overlapping of power between the civil and syariah courts over the issue of non-Muslims converting to Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the study covers matters like annulment of marriage, resolution of obligation and liability after conversion as well as registration of change of religion.

Replying to a question from Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjung), Nazri said the A-G is also looking into the rights of religious conversion, custody of minors, and financial allowance for the wife and children who have not converted.

Touching on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, Nazri reiterated that the federal government has no intention to amend the said provision.

“Malaysia, as a multi-cultural and multi-religious country, has maintained its unity and harmony by acknowledging the right of a person to practise his religion according to Article 11 of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Nazri said any religious group, in exercising its right to practice, should ensure it does not go against public laws in relation to public order, public health or moral principles.

“This is stated clearly in Schedule (5), Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which is aimed at inculcating understanding, tolerance and harmonious relation among the citizens of this country,” he said.

To a supplementary question from Chow on whether the government condones the acts of the Anti-Interfaith coalition, known by its acronym Badai, in disrupting a peaceful meeting of the Article 11 Forum in Penang recently, Nazri said Badai was a front of PAS and described its disruptive action as stupid (bodoh).

Nazri said police should permit groups who want to discuss issues rationally and within the law, and not bow to those who seek to prevent others from freely discussing in a peaceful manner.

To a supplementary question from Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar (PAS-Tumpat), Nazri criticised the PAS secretary-general for relating Badai’s actions to that of the pro-tem group called Lawyers for Islam (BPI).

“If BPI was formed to state the worries of Muslims, I welcome it. If the right is given to the non-Muslims on Article 11, they (BPI) are also worried about their (Muslims) position,” he said.

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