Media statement by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman in Parliament media centre KL.
The sudden withdrawal of the LRA shows non commitment to elevate peoples concern!
It comes as a shock that the bill on Law Reform Marriage Act (LRA) Amendment which was introduced for 1st reading last year has now been withdrawn without the Government giving any valid reasons by the De facto Law Minister Azalina today.
This move is most surprising as all and sundry expected the bill to be passed in this sitting.
It all started in 2007 when a Hindu, one Pathmanathan then married to Indira Gandhi converted to Islam. In the process he had also converted his 3 under aged children to Islam. The conversion was without consent, presence and or approval of the children or Indira.
I immediately raised the matter in Parliament and the then De facto Law Minister DS Nazri said the cabinet has issued a directive that when a parent converts to another religion the religion of the child shall remained unchanged and status quo shall remain until the child attains the age of majority.
In 2007 the Cabinet formed a "Conversion" Committee to ascertain how best the controversial conversions can be handled and appropriate legalisation be so done to address the perineal, controversial and difficult issue. Nothing was concluded by this committee and later three other similar committees were formed but there was still no permanent suggested solutions
The issue was dragged on with no conclusion and finally the bill on LRA was tabled last year.
Our allegations that the Government of the day failed to have the political will was demolished with the introduction of the amendments. But it looks like we are not wrong in this allegation we have made earlier.
I urge the Government to give a proper and full explanation as to why the bill was hastily withdrawn. Did the Cabinet unanimously agree to this? And is this permanent or a watered down bill will be tabled?
The sudden withdrawal of the LRA shows non commitment to elevate peoples concern!
It comes as a shock that the bill on Law Reform Marriage Act (LRA) Amendment which was introduced for 1st reading last year has now been withdrawn without the Government giving any valid reasons by the De facto Law Minister Azalina today.
This move is most surprising as all and sundry expected the bill to be passed in this sitting.
It all started in 2007 when a Hindu, one Pathmanathan then married to Indira Gandhi converted to Islam. In the process he had also converted his 3 under aged children to Islam. The conversion was without consent, presence and or approval of the children or Indira.
I immediately raised the matter in Parliament and the then De facto Law Minister DS Nazri said the cabinet has issued a directive that when a parent converts to another religion the religion of the child shall remained unchanged and status quo shall remain until the child attains the age of majority.
In 2007 the Cabinet formed a "Conversion" Committee to ascertain how best the controversial conversions can be handled and appropriate legalisation be so done to address the perineal, controversial and difficult issue. Nothing was concluded by this committee and later three other similar committees were formed but there was still no permanent suggested solutions
The issue was dragged on with no conclusion and finally the bill on LRA was tabled last year.
Our allegations that the Government of the day failed to have the political will was demolished with the introduction of the amendments. But it looks like we are not wrong in this allegation we have made earlier.
I urge the Government to give a proper and full explanation as to why the bill was hastily withdrawn. Did the Cabinet unanimously agree to this? And is this permanent or a watered down bill will be tabled?
Comments
Post a Comment