KUALA LUMPUR – Controversial religious preacher Firdaus Wong’s recent remarks advocating for the covert conversion of minors to Islam are unconstitutional and contravene the Sedition Act 1948.
Speaking to Scoop, lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution stipulates that the religion of a minor shall be determined by the parents.
“In other words, Firdaus is encouraging people to do something illegal.
“Just imagine someone openly telling others to commit rape and murder.
“It’s a very disgusting and low-class thing to do,” Rajesh said when contacted.
Not only could Firdaus’ statements potentially breach the constitution, but Rajesh also said that the preacher’s remarks may have violated other laws.
According to Rajesh, Firdaus could face charges under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which prohibits the use of network facilities to transmit offensive communications.
“What Firdaus said may also be seditious, and action can be taken under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948,” Rajesh added.
Previously, a TikTok video of Firdaus explaining to a man how preachers can help children curious about Islam convert without their families’ knowledge went viral, sparking significant online backlash.
Yesterday, in a brief conversation with Scoop, Firdaus suggested that attacks against him were hypocritical, pointing out that children convert to other religions as well, adding that there is only public anger when the matter involves Islam.
Meanwhile, activist Arun Dorasamy rubbished Firdaus’ response, stating that “two wrongs don’t make a right”.
He pointed out that various issues can arise if a child converts to Islam, especially considering the potential challenges they might encounter if they decide to revert back to their previous faith later on.
However, Arun said that, irrespective of the religion in question, minors should not be allowed to convert to another faith without the consent of both parents.
“A child does not have the mental capacity to fully comprehend their actions; hence, there are legal protections in place for religious conversions.
“For example, this is why the law also doesn’t allow children to consent to sexual acts and enter certain legal agreements,” Arun told Scoop.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow also said that Firdaus’ attempts to distinguish between legal and spiritual conversions are wrong.
Tan added that attempting to influence a minor to embrace another religion, albeit only spiritually, amounts to abuse.
Given that such things only happen in schools, relevant authorities should take action immediately, he added.
“There should be no such thing as only converting spiritually, as there shouldn’t be any conversion at all in the first place.
“Plus, on Firdaus’ statement that other religions do it too, I don’t see any conversions going on in missionary schools, as students who go there still maintain their faith.
“A school isn’t the place to do missionary work,” Tan said. – June 8, 2024