Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Break for mum denied convert son’s bequest
PENANG: The Amanah Raya Berhad has offered to settle a suit by a Hindu woman who could not inherit the insurance monies left by her son who died a Muslim. High Court judge Justice John Louis O’Hara fixed Jan 29 for mention pending the settlement between Amanah Raya and 61-year-old cleaner M. Rukumony.
The woman had also named the Koperasi Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Berhad in her claim dated April 15, 2005. She claimed that her son E. Ragu, 23, who was an army ranger, was found in a coma at Kem Wardieburn Setapak Kuala Lumpur, and died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Aug 2, 2000.
In her claim, Rukumony said the co-operative had taken out a policy on her son but refused to pay her the RM56,300 and instead had deposited it with Amanah Raya. Ragu, a bachelor, had made a trust deed on Sept 6, 1999, and an assignment under Section 23 of the Civil Law Act 1956 on Feb 1, 2000, making Rukumony the beneficiary.
The co-operative said Ragu converted to Islam on Dec 31, 1999, and his Muslim name was Mohamed Redzuan Abdullah Ellaiappan. It claimed that under the Syariah Law, Rukumony could not inherit the property of her deceased son because she is a non-Muslim. The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council has intervened in the case.
Counsel Darshan Singh Khaira represented Rukumony while Rosmaidar Mustafa represented Amanah Raya. Abdul Muiz Samsuri appeared for the council. Rukumony was not present in court yesterday.
