Archbishop Simon Poh
KUCHING: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Archdiocese Most Reverend Simon Poh reminded Christians that the Federal Court’s decision in the apostasy cases is not a matter of the Church versus Islam and called for careful understanding of the case.
“This case is not the Church versus Islam but on the dispute of who has the jurisdiction on allowing a Muslim to murtad, either the Syariah Court or the Civil Court.
“Naturally, since we have the Syariah Court to govern the Muslims, the Syariah Court has the power to grant the Muslims the leave from Islam according the Law.
Therefore, we did not lose this case nor did we win it,” Poh said in a message to Christians today.
The Federal Court, in dismissing the appeals of three Muslim converts and a Muslim by birth to have their apostasy cases heard in a Civil Court, ruled that the Sarawak Syariah Court has jurisdiction to hear the apostasy applications.
Poh further said: “What is important now is with this (it) is now clear, where do we want to go with it. The Court, be it the Syariah or the Civil, is only to apply the law.
“Thus next, we should pray that the lawmakers will table a just law to face this issue. Do not lose hope. By the way, I was at the court hearing yesterday and I testify that the judges were very neutral and fair. Pray, continue to pray. With God, nothing is impossible.”
To those who were concerned of his safety following a video showing “commotion in court” this morning that has gone viral, Poh assured them that he was fine.
“There was commotion in court and (the) crowd was getting rowdy after the judgement. Many good Muslims were there to escort me safely out of to courthouse, including Puan Zabariah (Matali), a personal friend who is the chief executive officer of Islamic Information Centre.”
He stressed that it was a group of Muslims and others who escorted him safely to his vehicle pick up at road side.