AN interfaith council is requesting Putrajaya to expedite the reconversion of M. Indira Gandhi’s three children after the Federal Court ruled today that their unilateral conversion to Islam is null and void.

The Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism and Taoism president, R.S. Mohan Shan, said the council would like to request that the children be reconverted to their original religion. 

“The police should also help get back her youngest daughter (who is missing). They must return the child to her mother,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

The apex court’s five-judge bench, comprising Court of Appeal president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum, Zainun Ali, Abu Samah Nordin and Ramly Ali, delivered the landmark judgment earlier today. 

Zainun, who read a summary of the judgment, said a conversion will also need the consent of both parents.

“The article should not be construed literally… (It) requires the consent of both parents.

“The constitutional word ‘parent’ is a case of being lost in translation, both parents have equal rights,” she said. 

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said police will respect this morning’s decision and track down Indira Gandhi’s daughter. 

Indira had turned to the courts after her ex-husband, Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, had taken their youngest child, Prasana Diksa, who was 11 months old at the time, after unilaterally converting the three children to Islam in 2009.

Mohan said the Registrar of Muallaf (Muslim converts) should expedite the necessary documents for the children’s reconversion. 

“They must do it fast. This issue must not be prolonged. 

“We don’t need the Shariah Court to then give a different ruling and make things worse.”

Mohan said the Federal Court is the highest judicial authority in the country and its ruling must be obeyed. 

Mohan, who is also the Malaysia Hindu Sangam president, said the judges had come to a very interesting and monumental verdict for Indira who had suffered for nine years. 

“She finally got justice for what her husband had done, by wrongfully converting the children. 

“We are very pleased and would like to record our appreciation to the judiciary.” 

Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz has also lauded the Federal Court ruling, saying it’s a victory for all Malaysians. 

The former de facto law minister said today’s decision showed that the cabinet was right in announcing in 2009 that children of an estranged couple should remain in the religion of the parents at the point of their marriage. – January 29, 2018.