Don’t put back Clause 88A, warns PAS

KOTA BARU: PAS has warned the Government not to backtrack on an earlier promise to remove Clause 88A of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill.

PAS Information chief Nasrudin Hassan said the party strongly objected to any fresh attempt to include the “previously removed” clause in the new law following the Federal Court’s recent ruling that nullified the unilateral conversion of M. Indira Gandhi’s three children.

Clause 88A stated that the religion of the child shall remain as the religion of the parties to the marriage prior to the conversion and that the child could convert after turning 18 with the consent of both parents.

Stressing that PAS respected the Federal Court’s ruling, Nasrudin said a comprehensive and long-term solution was needed to ensure harmony between both the Syariah and civil judicial systems.

He said such cases could not only lead to religious tension, they could also affect the emotions of these parties, especially the children.

“Therefore, priority should be given to a peaceful approach,” he said.