Sarawak church ‘shares notes’ with Sabah official on religious conversions

Desmond Davidson Desmond Davidson Updated 4 years ago · Published on 30 Jan 2020 7:00AM · 5 Comments

THE Catholic Church in Sarawak has reached out to a Sabah assistant minister to share notes on the alleged conversion of pupils to Islam in the Borneo states.

Kuching Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh told The Malaysian Insight he wants to discuss the subject with Sabah’s assistant education and innovation minister, Jenifer Lasimbang, on alleged unethical and forced conversions in the two states.

Poh and Lasimbang, who is Moyog assemblyman, are separately investigating claims by an Iban woman in Sibu, Sarawak, that the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) offered cash to convert her two daughters to Islam through its Dana Inspirasi Malaysia (Inspirasiku) programme.

Lasimbang is also looking into another claim by a Sabah couple that their 17-year-old son was converted to Islam without their consent at the SM Elopura Bestari boarding school.

“I’m sure we can share our respective experiences as the cases in Sabah might not be the same as in Sarawak,” said Poh.

Both Lasimbang and Poh, however, told The Malaysian Insight they are still trying to verify the Iban woman’s claims. They have so far not been able to trace the woman.

Poh, who in 2018 was heckled by a group of Muslim youth after a Federal Court apostasy hearing in Kuching, said he does not believe in forced or “unethical” conversion.

“A person’s religious belief should be respected.

“Respect one another’s belief and faith. Whatever conversion should not be unethical,” said Poh, who currently chairs the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS).

Poh also said it is high time for Malaysians to “believe in the Rukun Negara” and safeguard the peace and harmony between religions.

When asked for an update on her investigation, Lasimbang said: “Nobody from Sarawak is talking to me.”

She, however, said the Iban woman’s allegation interests her as similar incidents are happening in Sabah.

“It’s not a new thing. These things have been happening for a few years now,” she said.

The Iban woman said her daughter, who is studying at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tg Malim, Perak, was offered financial assistance from YaPEIM on the condition that she converts to Islam.

She is also reportedly a parishioner at the Catholic Sacred Heart cathedral in Sibu.

The woman also said another daughter of hers, who is studying in St Elizabeth in Sibu, also received the same offer but for RM500.

YaPEIM has denied the accusation, saying its Inspirasiku programme is meant to help students from B40 families.

Lasimbang had earlier told The Malaysian Insight that she is also seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the long-standing issue of subtle and forced conversion of pupils in schools. – January 30, 2020.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Why should taxpayers money be channeled to help B40 through a religious propagation body instead of a secular body.

    Posted 4 years ago by Kinetica Cho · Reply

  • The taxpayer in this case has been screwed by religious extremists.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • YaPEIM should be investigated. If the allegations are found to be true, then it should be closed down immediately. Unethical conversion of others should not be allowed at all.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • B40 RAKYAT OF MALAYSIA Shld be Helped with Tax Payer Money by the Elected Govt of the Day. What is Religious body which favour muslims YaPEIM Interfering in the Non Muslims AFFAIRS. Dont malaysia hv got non muslim bodies to handle non muslim matters with FAIRNESS IN HUMANITY.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • SERVE HUMANITY REGARDLESS OF RACE RELIGION CREED = TO WORSHIPPING CREATOR.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply