GEORGE TOWN, June 13 – The Syariah High Court here Thursday decided that Teoh Cheng Cheng, 38, who died on Saturday, is not a Muslim. As such, the court allowed Teoh’s remains to be handed over to her family members for burial according to Buddhist ritual. The decision was made by Syarie Judge Zaim Md Yudin after hearing an ex-parte application filed by the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP).
Zaim said there were doubts on Teoh’s application form to convert to Islam as there were three different dates and thus against the standard operating procedures of the Penang Islamic Religious Department (JAIPP).
“The date in the registration book was November 10, 1997, the date on the first page of the application form was December 6, 1997 while the date of declaration of Teoh’s signature on the form was December 16, 1997.
“The plaintiff did not give a concrete reason for this. The court found that November 10, 1997 is 10 days after the deceased bore her first child. “It is strange for the deceased who just gave birth to go to JAIPP to register as a Muslim.
“The document submitted by the plaintiff was not verified by an official. There were doubts whether it was due to human error or it never happened on the dates,” Zaim said. The judge said the decision was also based on evidence by a close friend of the family and the deceased (Teoh) eldest son who said she did not practice Islam.
Teoh’s family was represented by counsel Wan Faridulhadi Mohd Yusoff while MAIPP was represented by counsel Noor Asyimah Ramli. Teoh who allegedly converted to Islam without her family’s knowledge was found dead at Pangsapuri Pelangi, Lintang Macallum, in George Town, on Saturday.
-BERNAMA
