PAS leader Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali claimed that non-Muslims were interfering with Islamic jurisprudence.― Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 — Non-Muslims are interfering with Islamic jurisprudence, PAS leader Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali claimed following nationwide backlash against Perlis for amending the state Shariah law to allow unilateral child conversions.

The information chief of PAS Ulama wing also claimed that the Islamic Religion Administration Enactment (Amendment) 2016 Bill passed by Perlis is constitutional, and those who opposed it should have called for the Federal Constitution to be amended instead.

“This gives a bad signal in the eyes of Muslims that are the majority citizens of this country when non-Muslims are seen to be braver to meddle in any amendments of Islamic laws at the state level that is in line with the Federal Constitution.

“It is seen as a threat towards the Islamic jurisdiction in states as allocated by the Malaysian constitution,” Khairuddin said in a statement published yesterday by PAS portal HarakahDaily.

The Kuala Nerus MP said the amendment passed by Perlis should be evaluated objectively.

“It is stressed that the amendment of Perlis enactment is in line with Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution,” he said, referring to the Article where “parent or guardian” of a children can decide the latter’s religion.

“If there are parties who disagree they can propose for an amendment of the Federal Constitution that needs the approval from two-thirds of MPs.” However, amending Article 12(4) to clearly state that the consent of both parents is required for child conversions is among Putrajaya’s proposal to amend the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (LRA) tabled last month.

The Star daily reported last week that Perlis amended its Administration of the Religion of Islam Enactment 2006 from requiring the consent of both parents or a guardian, to the consent of one parent or guardian.

All the Perlis Muslim assemblymen — 12 from Umno, one from PAS — voted for the amendment while PKR’s sole state lawmaker opposed against. The only other non-Muslim representative from MCA, Khaw Hock Kong, was reported leaving the state assembly while the Bill was debated.

Putrajaya finally tabled the amendment to LRA last month, in the most direct step to address the long-standing matter since the Cabinet issued a directive in 2009 banning unilateral child conversions; the directive had no legal power, however, and the problem persisted.

The proposed changes to the LRA include explicitly stating that “both parties” in a civil marriage must agree for the conversion of a minor into Islam and to limit interfaith divorces to the civil courts, among others.

Last month, the secretary-general of the Islamist Opposition party warned that non-Muslims must “play fair” by refraining from interfering with its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s Bill to upgrade the Shariah courts.