This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on August 9, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor DAP has pledged not to support any bills in the state legislative assembly which propose to permit unilateral religious conversions of minors by either one of their parents.

Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo said any attempt to introduce laws which permit such unilateral conversions in Selangor will be unconstitutional as it would be contrary to the Federal Constitution.

Gobind, who represents the Puchong constituency in Parliament, noted that the Federal Court had in the case of M Indira Gandhi very clearly held that the word parent applicable in the Federal Constitution means both parents.

“As such, the individual right of both parents to decide on the religion of their children who are minors is now constitutionally guaranteed,” he said.

Gobind, who is also the communications and multimedia minister, said it is trite that the Federal Constitution is supreme and overrides any provision of other laws which are inconsistent with it.

“Selangor DAP also reiterates its firm support for Selangor Speaker Ng Suee Lim in adjourning the last sitting of the state assembly. The speaker did not contravene any provisions under the rules applicable to his conduct of the business of the house.

“He has explained that he adjourned the house in accordance with the Standing Orders and that all agendas had been settled. As such, it was entirely in order for him to adjourn the house, as he did,” he said.

Ng, who is also the DAP state assemblyman for Sekinchan, adjourned the state assembly last week to prevent Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari from tabling proposed amendments to a syariah enactment that enables unilateral conversions of minors.

Earlier, Bernama reported that all four Selangor non-Muslim state executive councillors had an audience yesterday with Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at Istana Bukit Kayangan here.

Datuk Teng Chang Khim, V Ganabatirau, Hee Loy Sian and Ng Sze Han were at the palace at about 11am.

Ganabatirau, when met earlier at the state secretariat building, declined to disclose the reason for the audience but said an official statement will be released soon.