Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Unfortunately some quarters can’t think straight like the minister. Some converts, like Subashini’s husband, misuse the dual-court system to their own benefit, thus giving a bad name to the their religion. It is only logical that the soon-to-be-convert comes clean before he/she commits to another faith,
Same court for marriage, divorce, proposes Dompok
By Julia Channews@nst.com
source
KOTA KINABALU: Marriages that begin in the civil court should end in the same court, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said.
“It is my personal opinion that if the marriage was legalised in a civil court, it should end in a civil court, regardless of religious conversion, and vice versa for the syariah court.”
He was commenting on the statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that those who choose to convert must inform their family first.
“It’s a start, but the proposed law (Marriage Reform Act) should be studied further, openly discussed and carried through.
“The law must provide for everyone and take into consideration all sides,” he added.
Dompok was speaking to reporters after a meeting with Upko members at the party headquarters in Dongonggong yesterday.
Expedite Marriage Reform Act, Dompok urges Govt
KOTA KINABALU: A proposed Marriage Reform Act that tackles jurisdictional problems between civil and Syariah courts should be speeded up. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the law, proposed last year, could address problems of religious conversions that have led to disputes, especially in cases of separations.
He welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement that the Government would introduce a regulation for would-be converts to Islam to first inform their family.
It was good start, he said, but the proposed Marriage Reform Act, that among others deals with family problems triggered by conversions, must be expedited. “I hope the new minister in charge of law will expedite the proposed law,” he told reporters after chairing Upko supreme council meeting.
“I feel that a marriage conducted under civil laws must be nullified by the civil courts and, similarly, a marriage under Syariah law should be nullified by the Syariah Court,” he said.
Dompok said that religion was a personal matter and there was a need for free and constructive discussions to strengthen relations among all Malaysians.
