Call for specific law to deal with apostasy
NST (7/5/08): A Barisan Nasional backbencher has called on the government to draw up a specific law to deal with apostasy and his proposal received immediate support from Pas MPs.
Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) made the call following a suggestion in the House last week by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (BN-Kulai) to allow non-Muslims who had converted to Islam leave the faith if their marriage to Muslims ended in divorce.
Mohd Puad, who is the Batu Pahat Umno division chairman, said there should be a law to deal with the issue in view of the increasing number of apostates.
Speaking during the debate on the King's speech, he also called on the authorities to streamline the functions and role of the centres that were rehabilitating Muslims who had strayed from the faith.
"This will enable these centres to play their role in a more effective manner."
His proposal found agreement among some members of the opposition, particularly those from Pas.
Nasharuddin Mat Isa (Pas-Bachok) in agreeing with Mohd Puad, said besides having a law on apostasy, the authorities should make clearer the syariah on the subject.
"There is now much confusion surrounding it."
The Pas vice-president said although the civil law stated that one could not force a person to convert to another religion, the syariah on the other hand did not allow a person to leave Islam.
As such, Nasharuddin said clarity should be sought over the issue.
"We are still not clear as there are insufficient procedural laws when it comes to syariah. This must also be looked into."
Taib Azamudden Md Taib (Pas-Baling), a former Masjid Negara imam, said when a person converted to Islam, the person would be totally immersed and bound by the provisions as contained in the Islamic law.
"I agree with the member for Batu Pahat on the need for such a law. We need to look at the reasons why there are cases of apostasy," he said.
"With such a law in place, it will make it essential for all Muslims to understand the full nature of the religion," he said.
Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) made the call following a suggestion in the House last week by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (BN-Kulai) to allow non-Muslims who had converted to Islam leave the faith if their marriage to Muslims ended in divorce.
Mohd Puad, who is the Batu Pahat Umno division chairman, said there should be a law to deal with the issue in view of the increasing number of apostates.
Speaking during the debate on the King's speech, he also called on the authorities to streamline the functions and role of the centres that were rehabilitating Muslims who had strayed from the faith.
"This will enable these centres to play their role in a more effective manner."
His proposal found agreement among some members of the opposition, particularly those from Pas.
Nasharuddin Mat Isa (Pas-Bachok) in agreeing with Mohd Puad, said besides having a law on apostasy, the authorities should make clearer the syariah on the subject.
"There is now much confusion surrounding it."
The Pas vice-president said although the civil law stated that one could not force a person to convert to another religion, the syariah on the other hand did not allow a person to leave Islam.
As such, Nasharuddin said clarity should be sought over the issue.
"We are still not clear as there are insufficient procedural laws when it comes to syariah. This must also be looked into."
Taib Azamudden Md Taib (Pas-Baling), a former Masjid Negara imam, said when a person converted to Islam, the person would be totally immersed and bound by the provisions as contained in the Islamic law.
"I agree with the member for Batu Pahat on the need for such a law. We need to look at the reasons why there are cases of apostasy," he said.
"With such a law in place, it will make it essential for all Muslims to understand the full nature of the religion," he said.
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