I refer to the statement today by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department YB Jamil Khir Baharom who said in Parliament that consent from either one parent is enough for the conversion of a child’s religion according to Article 12 (4) of the federal constitution.

He referred to the 2004 case involving Shamala Sathiyaseelan and Dr Jeyaganesh C Mogarajah, where he said the Federal Court had ruled that a child’s faith can be decided by either parent.

This is notwithstanding that Article 12 (4) of the federal constitution states that the religion of a person under the age of 18 years shall be decided by his parent (“ibu bapa”) or guardian.

In 2009, the cabinet had decided against unilateral conversion of minors, ie, both parents must agree before a minor being converted. However, it’s only a decision by the cabinet and not enacted in our laws.

Gerakan Youth firmly believes that a child’s religion should only be converted with the consent of both surviving parents.

Gerakan Youth urges the cabinet to honour the decision in 2009 and take the lead in Parliament to enact laws to prevent unilateral conversion of a child’s religion.

Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat should also work together to resolve this long-standing issue. This matter is above politics.

TAN KENG LIANG is Gerakan Youth chief.