PAS blames rise of 'liberal Islam' for Law Reform Act amendments

ALOR SETAR: PAS is adamant that proposed amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act against unilateral conversion is against Islam.

Its ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed (pic) said the rise of "liberal Islam" among Muslims and some leaders has led to the proposal being made.

"The proposed amendments to the Law Reform Act are against Islam and Article 12(4) of the Constitution which allows a parent to convert a child below 18 to Islam," he said in his keynote address at 56th Dewan Ulama Assembly here Thursday.

He added that there is even a national fatwa (edict) and Federal Court decision which allows for a Muslim parent to convert his child.

The Bill on amendments to the Act was tabled in Parliament last November and seeks to prohibit the unilateral conversion of a child below 18 by a Muslim parent.

However, the Bill, which was up for second reading in Parliament, was withdrawn by the Government earlier this month to allow religious experts to take a further look at the amendments.

Dr Mahfodz also said that PAS ulama will continue to push for party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's Private Member's Bill to empower syariah courts to impose stiffer penalties.

On Goods and Services Tax (GST), Dr Mahfodz said the consumption tax must be abolished because it is "haram" in Islam.

He said GST only burdens the rakyat.

"GST must be abolished because it is haram.

"It is not right for the Government to collect the tax from low-income earners when there are leakages in government expenditure," he added.