THE Association for Community and Dialogue is concerned about the proposed amendment to Selangor laws that would remove the requirement for both parents’ consent to convert an underage child to Islam, making the consent of just the mother or father sufficient.

If this proposed amendment goes through, it will be an assault on the well-being of families. One wonders why such amendments are given prominence in the current precarious political context. There is already much turmoil emerging from the sex video scandal and khat issues.

Understanding the larger context of how the conversion bill issue emerged, it is obvious that there is vested interest at play, or the deep state trying to break up the Pakatan Harapan government, knowing well that there are frictions with regard to matters related to Malay rights and Islam, and how these could be capitalised on in the power struggle between PH factions, and by the opposition, which is seeking to seize every opportunity to wrest control.

The Federal Court has declared the unilateral conversion of minors as unconstitutional. In any civilised society, such a ruling is beyond politics and must be respected, with new laws formulated in line with the judgment to ensure compliance with the federal constitution. This is for the common good of the nation. In this country, however, there seems to be an effort to define the constitution in an exclusive manner through the prism of religious ideology.

If the US, a predominantly Christian nation, decides on the unilateral conversion of Muslim children through marriage, will ethno-religious leaders in this country accept it? It is obvious that Malay-Muslim politicians lack the courage to apply justice when it comes to their own religion, instead playing up ethno-religious sentiments that could tear the very fabric of our society.

Furthermore, the unilateral conversion of minors is not just about the legality or technicalities of such conversions. It is also about the well-being of families that have broken up due to failed marriages, with dire consequences facing the children in such situations. One wonders how religion could be used as a tool to break up families.

Therefore, the Association for Community and Dialogue humbly appeals to the Selangor menteri besar to withdraw the proposed amendment. The maxim of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” should be the guiding principle to resolve this issue.

The unilateral conversion of minors is an assault on families. – August 9, 2019.

* Ronald Benjamin is Association for Community and Dialogue secretary.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.