PKR veep wants S'gor MB to explain push for unilateral conversion

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari should explain to the public and Pakatan Harapan his push for the unilateral conversion of minors, said PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin.

PKR's stand on the matter is to abide by the Federal Constitution, she was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

“Amirudin has to explain why he wants to do this. I believe there are specific reasons,” said the housing and local government minister.

Amirudin reportedly tried to table the bill in the state legislative assembly despite objections from the majority of Harapan assemblypersons. The bill originated from Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais).

The assemblypersons had advised Amirudin to go back to the Selangor ruler and explain the situation as tabling the amendment could backfire on Harapan.

However, the menteri besar submitted the amendment to Selangor speaker Ng Suee Lim, who reportedly refused to prioritise the amendment, and subsequently cut short the Selangor state assembly sitting. 

Ng had denied that his move was motivated by the bill, which would pave the way for the unilateral conversion of minors, but the manoeuvring ultimately stalled the amendment.

On Aug 8, four non-Muslim state executive councillors, including PKR's Hee Loy Sian, held an audience with the state ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. 

Zuraida (photo) said there is no need for Hee to explain to the party what transpired during the meeting with the ruler.

“I myself, until today, do not know what the meeting was about,” she said, adding that she forgot to ask him about it when she met him recently.

There has been speculation that the proposed amendment was meant to strengthen certain leader's political power among the Malays.