Gov't has promised to do Indira justice, says Kula

The government has promised Hindu mother M Indira Gandhi that it would do the necessary justice for her.


This was according to M Kula Segaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat), who quoted Umno minister Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz as saying so after the latter met Indira at Parliament today.


"When we met Nazri, he asked Indira to be strong and (said) the government will do the necessary justice for her," Kula told a press conference with Indira at the Parliament lobby.


Besides Nazri, Indira also met Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup.


The three ministers are part of a five-member committee set up to deal with interfaith custody disputes following the Court of Appeal's decision on Indira's case.


According to Kula, who is Indira's lawyer, the trio who met Indira separately have said the government is working to tighten Section 51 of the Law Reform Act (Marriage and Divorce) by stating clearly that interfaith custody cases can be referred to a civil court.


Nazri has also stated the government may amend Article 152 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, pertaining to Syariah Court's jurisdiction, said Kula.


Nazri has also said the cabinet is mulling to ban unilateral conversion of a minor, added Kula.


Nazri, however, refused to respond when met at Parliament.


"I was happy to get good feedback. I hope that the ministers can implement the necessary laws to overcome this (problem). I hope it can be done as soon as possible," said Indira, a kindergarten teacher.


On Dec 30, 2015, the Court of Appeal ruled that the civil court has no jurisdiction to hear the interfaith custody case involving Indira and her former husband K Pathmanathan @ Muhammad Ridhuan Abdullah.


Ridhuan had unilaterally converted their three children to Islam in 2009 and had also taken away their youngest child.