MCA President YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting expressed that MCA is extremely upset at the actions of demonstrators who resorted to a show of force in compelling the Bar Council’s forum on “Conversion to Islam: Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini and Sharmala revisted” on 9 August 2008 at its headquarters to wrap up early.
Ka Ting stressed that the forum should be respected by everyone because Bar Council conducted the forum in a rational and peaceful manner. “This forum never intended to question the special position of the Malays or Islam as the religion of the federation as enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” said Ka Ting. “Never once were the organizers, speakers or registered guests critical of Islam.”
He added that speakers of the forum include families affected by legal implications when a family member had embraced Islam. The forum also had legal counsels offering the different perspectives in the cases of the clients they represented. “The forum should have been viewed objectively rather than emotionally.”
He also urged the government to reach an amicable solution to safeguard the rights of non-converting family members and resolve problems that arose when a non-Muslim converts to Islam with regards to issues such as minor children custody rights, religion of minor children, property and body tussles.
Ka Ting said in this multi-racial society, everyone should respect other races and be tolerant towards each other. He stressed that enough space should be given to discuss the conversion issues and most importantly the concerns on non-Muslims embracing Islam had affected the rights of non-Muslim and thus created uneasiness among the people.
MCA Vice President YB Datuk Ong Tee Keat: Abrupt end an embarassment
On the same matter, MCA Vice-President YB Datuk Ong Tee Keat expressed sadness that those who did not respect the law had tarnished the image of the country. He added that the abrupt end of the Bar Council forum on 9 August 2008 was also an embarrassment to the legal field and most importantly to all Malaysians.
“We can disagree with other people’s views but we cannot disallow others from voicing out their views. Moreover, physical force must never be deployed to cause an objective discussion to cease.” Tee Keat voiced sadness that despite the country having achieved independence 50 years ago, there still exists sensitive issues in the country but added that “I believe that we have adequate laws to address any sensitive issues that could incite or create racial problems in the country”, said Tee Keat.
He reiterated that everyone should respect the law and advised the public not to take matters into their own hand or resort to mob rule and create a tense situation when one did not agree with other people’s views.
MCA Youth chief YB Dato’ Liow Tiong Lai: Not necessary to resort to physical force
MCA Youth chief Dato’ Liow Tiong Lai echoed similar sentiment when responding on the same issue. He said that the Bar Council forum was conducted in a professional manner at their own headquarters. “Therefore, there is no need for public demonstrations. It is regrettable that threats were made against the organizers to stop the forum from continuing.”
Tiong Lai expressed disappointment that the forum was stopped three hours earlier than scheduled. He urged the public not to stop nor stifle any dialogue from being conducted where people could learn from each other.
He reiterated holding discussions on religious conversion did not run against the law and the demonstrators’ extreme action will affect the good relationship and harmony that has been achieved among the various races since Independence. “It is not necessary to resort to physical force in resolving issues as it will only create tension and uneasiness among Malaysians.”
Wanita MCA Deputy Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun: Issues should not be swept under the carpet
Wanita MCA Deputy chief Deputy Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun urged that issues should be allowed to be discussed. “We cannot just treat every issue as sensitive. In fact the Bar Council forum was a platform for various groups to engage in discussion in a peaceful manner in seeking a solution.”
Mei Fun added that the Bar Council’s forum was not intended to create controversy but to iron out problems. “The organizers did not intend to confront anybody but to hear the different perspectives and sought to find a solution to avoid these issues from repeatedly occurring.”
Calling on the government to allow and encourage such discussions, Mei Fun said that “if we talk about understanding and unity amongst each other, we should not politicize these issues and deem them as sensitive. We need to be frank and address these issues as this is the only way forward. Malaysians appear to be united and living harmoniously, but in actual fact, many issues are swept under the carpet which may eventually blow up one day.”
Critical of the unruly behavior of the PKR, PAS and UMNO representatives whose provocative demands at the organizers had caused the forums’ abrupt closure and frightened some attendees, Mei Fun voiced dismay “as their forceful actions were simply not right.”
Meanwhile, Mei Fun who also heads Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) expressed disappointment at the police’s handling of the situation. “The forum was held indoor where registration was required. Whatever discussed was confined to the four walls. The police should not have allowed the demonstrators to enter the building.” Mei Fun then called on the police to “take action against the demonstrators and not the organizers or speakers who were discussing in a peaceful manner.”
MCA Publicity Bureau chief Dato’ Fu Ah Kiow on Syariah / civil jurisdictional disputes: Govt taking too long
Meanwhile, MCA Publicity Bureau chief Dato’ Fu Ah Kiow did not hide voicing his displeasure at the manner in which the Bar Council forum was abruptly ended. “I am disappointed the matter had not been resolved after the many promises and discussions.”
“This issue has been in existence even before the Shamalah case and the government has taken too long to resolve this issue. People want to see action. They don’t only want to hear promises by the government.
“Where a spouse or family member has embraced Islam, the conversion effectively has an effect on the non-Muslim family members since it involves human rights with regards to the welfare of family members who have not converted. There are custodian problems where minor children are involved, and inheritance issues too.
“I urge the government to resolve the issue quickly which safeguards the rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”
Sdr Gan Ping Sieu: MCA Youth supports Bar Council forum on conversion issues
MCA Youth Legal Bureau strongly supports the Bar Council move to organize the forum on “Conversion to Islam: Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini and Sharmala revisted” held on 9 August 2008 at its headquarter.
The Bureau hopes that Bar Council will continue to conduct similar programs to discuss conversion issues in the future and it is not afraid to state its stand on the matter. At the same time, the Bureau also advises political leaders not to issue irresponsible statements in trying to distort the real issue at hand.
MCA Youth Legal Bureau Chairman Sdr Gan Ping Sieu expressed that, “such action will only blow the issue out of hand and it will not resolve the matter in the end.” Gan said he is very disappointed with the disturbing behaviour of the demonstrators who resorted to physical force in stopping the forum which resulted in the forum being closed much earlier.
“While MCA Youth respects the rights of demonstrators in voicing out their unhappiness towards the forum but the protestors should also respect the rights of the Bar Council in organising the said forum,” said Gan.
Thus, he expressed that, “the actions of Pakatan Rakyat MPs YB Zulkifli Nordin, PAS Youth chief YB Salahuddin Ayub and other UMNO members storming into Bar Council’s Auditorium which created problems had gone against the laws in the country.” He voiced that, “the police have a responsibility to nab those guilty of creating trouble and charge them in court.”
“Leaders of any political parties cannot allow violence among their members to take place,” Gan exhorted.
He urges the government to admit that they have a responsibility to amend the relevant laws and resolve the current conflicting jurisdiction of Syariah Court and Civil Court and not to prolong the issue any longer. “It has resulted in weaknesses to the current mechanism in addressing the issues that arise from conversions.”
Gan added, “if the current harmony enjoyed by the country’s various races is jeopardized; it is the result of the government failing to address and resolve such issues quickly and amicably and not the fault of the forum being conducted in the first place.” He stressed that that, “only through holding rational discussions and dialogue will it create a fair platform for different races to voice out their views and stand.”
“Holding rational discussions will not only bring the various races closer but also everyone may have the opportunity to learn and be respectful towards each other. There will always be differences between different races but we could all strive to achieve similar goals and interests,” said Gan.
Gan praised Bar Council’s move to invite many Islamic scholars and lawyers as speakers during the said forum. He added that the participants who comprised of people from all walks of life attended the forum and listened to the views of the speakers in a peaceful manner.
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