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Dewan Rakyat: Panel to study Islamic conversion issues
A SPECIAL committee has been tasked to draw up a mechanism on addressing issues related to the conversion of non-Muslims into Islam.
Set up early this year by the Attorney-General's Chambers, it is looking into issues such as dissolution of marriage, custody of children, wife and children's maintenance and determining the religious status of the deceased.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the committee was headed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. Among its members are representatives from non-governmental organisations, ministries and departments, academicians, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian bodies as well as ulama.
Replying to Datuk Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh (BN-Gerik), Nazri said the committee was set up following the prime minister's statement in January that there was no need to amend the Federal Constitution as there was no conflict between civil and Syariah courts.
"As sensitive matters are involved, the committee needs time to study all aspects before making recommendations to the cabinet." Nazri said the committee had not been given any deadline to complete its tasks.
Earlier, he told Wan Hashim that there was no conflict between the civil and Syariah courts as both were administered separately. He said the Federal Constitution stated that matters related to Islam were under the jurisdiction of a state government while those related to civil, criminal and administration of justice were under the federal government. He said in 1988, the Federal Constitution was amended to include Provision (IA) to Article 121, which states that civil courts do not have jurisdiction in matters within the powers of the Syariah courts.
