SARAWAK opposition leaders have slammed non-Muslim Barisan Nasional leaders over their silence on the removal of a key clause of the Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) (Amendment) Bill which would have prevented unilateral conversion of minors.

PKR and DAP leaders have also asked leaders of MCA, MIC, Gerakan, and of BN component parties in Sabah and Sarawak if they were consulted on the removal.

“Why do you continue to betray your own party members by continuing to support the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government that has shown no respect and regards for the rights of people of other races and religions?” Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian asked.

“How could you in good conscience continue to support and prop up the government?”

Baru said the withdrawal of the bill by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said yesterday before it could be read a second time to remove Clause 88A, “is another slap in the face for non-Muslims”.

Clause 88A, which stated that the religion of the child should remain in the religion he or she was raised in before one parent converted, was a new addition to the amendments.

“There had been hope at the end of a dark tunnel for many that this bill would see an end to the unilateral conversion of minor children of other faiths to Islam, but true to BN practice, there has been yet another major flip-flop on this bill.

“The de facto law minister Azalina Othman Said was reported to have expressed hope that this development would be seen in a positive light to preserve harmony in Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.

“How is it possible that this last minute flip-flop by the BN can be seen in a positive light?” Baru asked.

The Ba Kelalan assemblyman said since the bill was opposed by PAS and some Muslim groups, this about turn by the government is seen to be a political decision taken in the fear of the loss of support by Muslims.

“This change of mind shows that Prime Minister Najib Razak is driven by the fear of losing the general election.

“Najib and Umno place no importance on protecting the rights of all citizens to freedom of religion and equal rights.”

DAP said if they were not consulted, it clearly showed how they and their MPs “are just subservient to the wishes of Umno at the expense of the desires of their own state and constituency”.

DAP spokesman, Kelvin Yii, said non-Muslim BN MPs should protect the rights of minorities and not allow them to be trampled on. – August 8, 2017.