Perkasa information chief Hassan Basri Muhammad said this in a statement today, in response to Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s recent remark that the National Registration Department (NRD) would not proceed with its appeal against the Kuching High Court’s decision to let Sarawakian Rooney Rebit convert to Christianity from Islam.
Adenan said Prime Minister Najib Razak had assured him that the department would withdraw its appeal.
“Perkasa, as an NGO which champions Islam, sees Adenan Satem’s remark as being dangerous to Islam’s position as the official religion.
“It makes apostasy look like a light issue that can be traded for votes,” Hassan said.
“Perkasa respects the Kuching High Court’s decision to allow Rooney to practise Christianity, on the basis of religious freedom. However, Perkasa also hopes everyone, including the prime minister, will also respect the NRD’s decision to appeal against the decision, and the Sarawak Shariah court’s role in Islamic matters.”
Hassan also slammed the silence of religious departments, “muftis”, religious scholars, and federal preachers in the matter, which made it seem as if Sarawak could amend its laws as it wished, without being bound by the Federal Constitution.
He urged both the NRD and the Sarawak Shariah court to stick to their decision to proceed with the matter further, without “bowing” to political pressure.
Perkasa has joined the likes of Isma, who earlier today slammed Najib and Adenan for intervening in the “sensitive” conversion issue.