KOTA KINABALU: United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok expressed disappointment with the Federal Cabinet for tabling a controversial bill on unilateral conversion involving children, which he said went against the 1Malaysia concept.
He said the intention to table the bill is a contradiction to the 1Malaysia concept of acceptance, inclusiveness and moderation.
“I am surprised and disappointed that this bill was approved by Cabinet for tabling at Parliament,” said Dompok in a statement yesterday.
The former federal minister recounted that a few months ago, he asked for the withdrawal of a paper on the bill in Cabinet as he felt that an earlier Cabinet decision on the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 should be implemented instead.
The bill in question is the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which was tabled on Wednesday.
Two large prominent groups – The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and the Bar Council – have raised concerns on the bill.
Dompok contended that the present bill seems to contravene the Federal Constitution and runs counter to the government’s transformation plans and thus, urged for it to be withdrawn from Parliament.
“A full discussion by BN on this issue and related religious issues must also be initiated before any bill is presented to Parliament,” he reckoned.