Jakoa DG calls for AG to probe Temiar’s demand to remove ‘Islam’ from MyKad

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas will be informed of the Temiar Orang Asli’s demands to remove ‘Islam’ from their identity cards so that he can look into the matter, said Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) director-general Juli Edo.

According to The Malaysian Insight, Edo said the Prime Minister’s Department has taken over the matter and it will be handled amicably by them.

“Usually when it comes to documentation matters, Jakoa and the National Registration Department (NRD) will work hand in hand.

“We have asked the minister in charge to discuss with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas because the mistake was not caused by the Orang Asli.

“Therefore, I will leave this matter for the ministry to comment,” Juli reportedly said.

According to the Jakoa director-general, another course of action the Orang Asli could take was to lodge a report with his department so it could look into the matter as well.

“Investigation can be done if there is a report. Therefore, they must come to us,” he said.

However, he noted that changing a person’s religious category is a lengthy process.

It was previously reported that Temiar Orang Asli in Gerik, Perak demanded that ‘Islam’ be removed from their MyKad as their religious status.

They said they had never converted to Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waytha Moorthy had said his department would work to address this matter.