PETALING JAYA: MCA is disappointed and dismayed that the Perlis state legislative assembly had passed the Administration of Islam Enactment 2006, said MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Wee said in a statement on Thursday that state legislation should be consistent with Federal Bills, and added that the amended enactment contravenes the aims and the spirit of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Bill 2016 “which is intended to secure the Constitutional rights of non-Muslims”.
He said that Section 88A of the Federal Bill specifically states that “conversion to Islam can only be done with the approval of both parents”.
Wee added that MCA would never compromise on its stand that the religion of a minor is to be determined by the consent of both parents as enshrined in the Federal Constitution as of 1970.
“While Article 12 (4) of the Federal Constitution reads that the religion of a minor religion shall be determined by a “parent”, Article 160 clearly spells out that words in the singular includes the plural and vice versa,” he said.
He said that since the Law Reform Bill had gone through its first reading on April 21, Perlis lawmakers should have “followed” the Federal Bill instead of trying to “subjugate” it.
Wee added that any state or federal legislation, government policy or guideline that does not abide by the Constitution must be rendered null and void, and said that MCA is determined to see the proposed changes and new insertions in Law Reform Bill passed at the next session of the Dewan Rakyat.
He also said that MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has summoned Titi Tinggi assemblyman Khaw Hock Kong to provide an explanation for his walkout to the MCA Central Committee.
Khaw had staged a walkout on Thursday in protest against the passing of the amended Enactment, which was passed by the Perlis state legislative assembly on the same day.
“Our party leadership is of the view Khaw should have expressed our party’s firm position of the consent of both parents during the debate inside the Perlis state legislative assembly,” said Wee.-thestar
