Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said it was “shameful” that a prime minister had to stoop so low as to “instigate” voters because he lacked the two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to amend the Federal Constitution.
In a statement today, she called this a “veiled intimidation to women voters in the country”, adding that Najib clearly lacked the political will to do what is right.
At a recent TN50 dialogue for women, Najib had said that a ban on unilateral child conversion would require a two-thirds majority vote in the Dewan Rakyat to change the Federal Constitution, which he did not have.
His comments created a stir among women opposition leaders, with PKR’s Zuraida Kamaruddin saying he had failed to ensure the rights of women and was “holding women at ransom” by blaming them for his failure to include Section 88A in the the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (Act 164).
Section 88A(1) specifically states that if a parent converts to Islam, the religion of the children remains the same as when the couple were married, unless both parents agree to the conversion of their children.
Kasthuri, who is publicity secretary for DAP’s women’s wing, said numerous oral and written questions on the issue had been raised in the Dewan Rakyat for many years.
However, despite a cabinet decision in 2009 to amend laws to prohibit unilateral conversions, nothing had happened, she said.
“While some cabinet decisions were executed speedily, some like the ban on unilateral conversion are entering its eighth year awaiting amendment.
“This clearly shows that Najib and his cabinet decided in principle that there is no need for a constitutional amendment, and only an amendment to the existing act is sufficient to safeguard the rights of mothers and fathers who have been excluded in the controversy of the child’s conversion.”
Kasthuri said as prime minister, Najib had failed to ensure that the best interests of the child were prioritised in the matter of unilateral conversions.
“Instead of doing what is right, Najib rides on his wave of arrogance and oblivion and has intimidated women voters into believing that with a two-thirds BN majority in Parliament, reforms that protect the sanctity of the family institution, the rights of the mothers and conversion issues of their children will be upheld and executed, democratically.
“After eight years of being prime minister, Najib can add this ‘achievement’ to his long list of accolades – veiled intimidations to women voters in the country for a two-thirds BN majority to do the right thing in the Dewan Rakyat.”