PETALING JAYA, JULY 1- Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang has warned the government that the party would proceed with court action should Section 107(b) of the Islamic Religious Administration Bill is not amended.
Section 107(b) of the Islamic Religious Administration Bill states that a non-Muslim can convert to Islam if he is of sound mind, and if he has not attained the age of 18 years, and the mother or father or guardian consent to the conversion.
Tan said that the Bill needs to be amended as it was against the Federal Constitution which states that a child under the age of 18 will need consent of the parents or guardian.
“It is clearly stated under Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution that both parents have to give consent in order for a minor to be converted to Islam, but this Bill states otherwise,” he said.
“The Bill has to be amended in order to adhere to the Federal Constitution. If it is approved, we will be forced to take court action against the government,” he added.
In a recent case, V Mithran, 5, and V Sharmila, 8, were allegedly converted forcefully by their estranged father N Viran.
Viran had converted to Islam and also converted the children without the consent of their mother, only known as Deepa.
Tan said that the government has to take responsibility even though the Bill would only affect Federal Territories as they allowed it to override the Federal Constitution.
“This Bill goes directly against the Federal Constitution, the government must be held responsible for this even though the Bill would only affect Federal Territories,” he said.
