the case of r. subashini saravanan
Post on Mar.31, 2007
all the catholic churches in malaysia had been directed to read out the following statement in church beginning from today (31 march) and everyday for a week until 8 april.
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STATEMENT BY THE CONFERENCE OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF MALAYSIA ON THE COURT OF APPEAL DECISION IN THE MATTER OF R. SUBASHINI SARAVANAN
We are deeply disappointed and feel aggrieved by the recent majority decision of the Court of Appeal that the non-Muslim wife had to seek recourse through the Syariah Courts. This is a form of religious oppression and an affront to human dignity. As the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the country, a person of one religion should not be made subject to laws of and governance by another religion. We urge all to voice their grievances against the injustice through proper channels. Let us do all that is possible and also pray that justice and freedom of religion be restored.
signed by the President of Conference of Catholic Bishops of Malaysia, Most Rev. Datuk Murphy Pakiam, dated 27th March 2007 in KL.
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this is the prayer we are told to add in among our usual sunday’s ‘prayer of the faithful’.
“That government and authorities may respect the God-given religious freedom to every person and that no external constraints be placed on individuals or groups in seeking redress of their rights ot live according to the tenets of their faith.”
earlier the conference had also issues a press statement. it was reported in some paper. later on i will check for the source.
more about subashini’s case later.
Filed in government, malaysia, religion
April 1st, 2007 on 11:05 AM
Developments of this sort in a secular Malaysia is deeply disturbing. On a higher level it would mean that the constitution is being contested that gurantees freedom of religion and the separation of the syariah and civil courts. On a lesser level it brings fear that people like you and me will be subjected under a law that is not of our own religion. Don’t say anyone out that don’t care or that it does not matter, if it happens to you then the sting will be felt and by then it is too late. The expansion of the syariah court’s mandate and jurisdiction that is indicated in this case is troubling indeed and dangerous a preceedence in a multiracial and multireligious nation like Malaysia. Thin about it.
lucia: yes, very troubling indeed. it is as though the gomen is slowly, subtly, unknowingly to us trying to take away our religious rights!
April 1st, 2007 on 5:08 PM
Some news, she has been granted a stay by the Court to stop her ex from converting her children.
And that ain’t some April Fools prank, although on the other hand, today’s article in my blog is…
lucia: yes, that temporary injunction.
i like your jesus joke. very funny, the pic too. and you know i am a catholic, i can laugh at my own faith being mocked because i know it was just a joke and i am secure in my own faith not to get upset.
April 1st, 2007 on 6:49 PM
the judges needs to go back to law school…where on earth did they find the law tht says a non-muslim can appear in syariah court?? if this case become a precedent, im sure other cases can easily divert to syariah law as well, not just about marriage and divorce. The question is not whether syariah law can give a fair and just result but whether it is reasonable for non-muslim to be forced to adhere to it! Sad to say that Malaysia’s justice is speeding down the slope.
lucia: yes indeed. this is what most of us fear… that it might set a dangerous precedent. i’m glad we have many groups speaking up.
April 4th, 2007 on 2:27 AM
Really a shame that this has to be done. Actually I have to zip my lips or I may not be polite.
lucia: me too, SA, me too. i am zipping my lips not to write what i thought.
April 8th, 2007 on 1:23 AM
It’s heartening that many Malaysians have come out of their shells in support of the recent debacle involving Subashini’s plight. Indeed, this is a judicial catastrophy in the making, where civil rights of minorities in Malaysia are concerned. With the local state owned news agencies playing a low tone to the brevity of the situation, I must applaud the independent news agencies and bloggers alike for the interest and furore created to incite some form of citizen responsibility. We cannot afford to play second fiddle, whilst our civil rights are in the process of being tread upon by the emerging threat of fundamentalism in Malaysia.
lucia: yes thank god for the independant news and us bloggers.
April 8th, 2007 on 1:18 PM
This ought to cause someone’s lips to drop off:
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=17509
What Bar Council chairwoman, Ambiga Sreenevasan, said is most timely and pertinent, e.g. :
“She added that public comments on matters of public interest, particularly where it involves constitutional guarantees, cannot be sub judice or contempt.”
Bingo!