MIC lauds gov’t intervention in Rooney Rebit case
Party president Dr S Subramaniam says the case should act as a precedent in future interfaith disputes.
In a statement today, the Health Minister commended both Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem and Prime Minister Najib Razak for intervening in the case, and giving their personal assurances that the NRD would discontinue its appeal against the Kuching High Court’s decision to allow Rooney, a Muslim convert, to be legally recognised as a Christian.
“There are many people who have become victims of circumstances and were converted to Islam, but never led a Muslim way of life. Their attempts to rectify this has not been easy, and this has had major effects on their daily lifestyles.
“Many of them could not get married because of their uncertain identity,” Subramaniam said, adding that it had also subjected the individuals to duress from enforcement officers.
He expressed hope that Rooney’s case would become the standard of decisions in all future cases involving similar circumstances.
“We have to uphold the fundamental constitutional rights to religious freedom and ensure that all government institutions be proactive in upholding the same.”
Subramaniam also stressed on the importance of a “quick resolution” to the long standing issues of interfaith custody and the conversion of minors.
Rooney, a Bidayuh who was converted to Islam as a child, had in a landmark ruling on March 24 this year, been granted a declaration by the Kuching High Court that he could convert to Christianity in accordance with his constitutional right to freedom of religion, as he was now an adult.
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It ordered the NRD to change his name to Rooney Rebit and his religion from Islam to Christianity in his identity card and other records.