DAP lawmaker Zairil Khir Johari said this in response to the unilateral conversion case involving kindergarten teacher M Indira Gandhi, her ex-husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah and their daughter, Prasana Diksa.
Indira’s ordeal began in 2009 when Riduan snatched Prasana, then aged 11 months, before unilaterally converting her and also his two other children, Tevi Darsiny, 19 and Karan Dinish, 18, despite their absence.
Indira subsequently won full custody of her children in the High Court on March 11, 2010.
However, Riduan still remains missing together with Prasana despite the Federal Court ordering Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar in April to arrest Riduan for refusing to hand over the youngest child back to Indira.
Speaking to FMT, Zairil said it was hard to believe that police were unable to track down Riduan after such a long time.
“I hope police can step up efforts in tracing him (Riduan). In fact, I’m sure our police can do it if they put their resources into the effort.
“They are able to track down all sorts of criminals, so I’m sure they can find Riduan.
“I find it somewhat hard to believe they have been unable to locate him.”
On April 30, Ipoh police had placed Riduan on its wanted list and sought public information on his whereabouts.
Then, on May 4, the IGP said he had already ordered his officers to locate and arrest Riduan for contempt of court from the day the Federal Court gave its decision.
Women’s Aid Organisation Advocacy Manager Yu Ren Chung said Riduan’s absence in court proceedings was unacceptable.
“Because Riduan has gone missing, court proceedings are delayed yet again. These delays are unacceptable. Indira has not seen her daughter for seven long years.”
Yu said one could ask why the court process had taken such a long time, but pointed out that the whole tedious procedure could have been avoided if the laws were “clearer and fairer”.
Zairil also echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that the government should immediately rectify the loophole in unilateral conversion of minors in the present law.
“It allows unscrupulous people to take advantage and results in intractable problems for affected families.”
Yu said the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 should be amended at the current parliamentary session to solve this issue once and for all.
“This amendment will crucially require the consent of both parents to convert a child.
“We hope to see these amendments soon.”