马华妇女组全国主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬呼吁全国人民团结一致， 向极端分子攻击教堂的暴行说不！
文告：
她说，她在八打灵地区度过她的小学生涯，对这里的一草一木都有深厚的感情，当她看到阿松大医院附近的息焉堂（Assumption Church）和17区的生命堂（Life Chapel Church）被身份不明的暴徒抛掷汽油弹攻击时，她感到非常痛心。此外，首都吉隆坡的美罗帐幕神召会（Metro Tabernacle）教堂更遭人丢抛汽油弹纵火，她对此感到忧心忡忡。
她劝请涉及攻击行径的暴徒立刻自首现身，因为每一个热爱和平的马来西亚人都不希望这起事件与日前高庭对“阿拉”字眼应用的判决有关。
她也促请所有人民保持冷静，并支持首相和法庭根据法律去妥善处理“阿拉”字眼所引起的风波。
“马华妇女组非常有信心，只要我们大家竭尽所能去解决这项敏感的课题，我们一定能在不影响任何宗教信徒的权益之下，理性地消除我们之间的误会和隔阂。”
她强调，生活在一个多元文化、多元种族和多元宗教的多元国度，我们必须谨慎维护得来不易的和平、凝聚力和团结，以免独立先贤的伟大遗愿遭到破坏。
“如果这些暴徒的企图就是要不计一切地制造我们之间的紧张和混乱，我们就必须更加冷静、理性和沉稳地去挫败他们的阴谋！”
她说，马华妇女组衷心希望这些暴徒能良心发现，不要再以自私狭隘的极端心态看待马来西亚的未来，因为他们的残忍和懦夫行径，将对外资和外国旅客造成严重的心理冲击，进而影响我国的经济表现。
Showing posts with label Religious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religious. Show all posts
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Wanita MCA calls on all Malaysians to stand united to quell acts by extremists
8 January 2009
Press Statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Having undergone my primary school years in Petaling Jaya, this city better known as PJ for short holds a special place in my heart. Therefore, I am deeply pained that a kerosene bottle was flung into the Church of Assumption at Jalan Templer, while irresponsible individuals have caused arson against the Life Chapel in Section 17. I am equally disturbed at the explosives hurled at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati which gutted the building, while molotov cocktails have been swung into a church in Kampung Subang.
Wanita MCA unequivocally admonishes the perpetrators involved in the violence and convey our wishes that this will be not done by quarters unhappy with the High Court judgement on the use of word "Allah."
The women’s wing of MCA further stresses the call for calm and let the courts and Prime Minister to handle this case in line with the laws of our country, to respect the rights of all Malaysians to freedom of practising their religion.
Wanita MCA is confident that as long as all of us try our best to look for a solution on the issue, and as long as the remedy will not affect the rights of any religion, we will be able to overcome the differences among ourselves.
Wanita MCA urges all Malaysians to stand united to overcome these overzealous extremists. Let us respond with prayers in our own ways that harmony will return. Living in a plural society, we should treasure the peace, cohesion and unity of the country as envisaged by our forefathers in the run-up to Independence. If it is the goal of these troublemakers to unleash and stir mass scale havoc without any consideration for lives and property, we must defeat them through calm, emotional restraint and stability.
Wanita MCA hopes that these extremists will realise beyond their selfish extremism and consider about the future of Malaysia. Their cruelties and cowardly acts of intimidation are a disservice to the nation as foreign direct investors and tourists will be driven away from coming here.
Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Wanita MCA National Chairman
Press Statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Having undergone my primary school years in Petaling Jaya, this city better known as PJ for short holds a special place in my heart. Therefore, I am deeply pained that a kerosene bottle was flung into the Church of Assumption at Jalan Templer, while irresponsible individuals have caused arson against the Life Chapel in Section 17. I am equally disturbed at the explosives hurled at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati which gutted the building, while molotov cocktails have been swung into a church in Kampung Subang.
Wanita MCA unequivocally admonishes the perpetrators involved in the violence and convey our wishes that this will be not done by quarters unhappy with the High Court judgement on the use of word "Allah."
The women’s wing of MCA further stresses the call for calm and let the courts and Prime Minister to handle this case in line with the laws of our country, to respect the rights of all Malaysians to freedom of practising their religion.
Wanita MCA is confident that as long as all of us try our best to look for a solution on the issue, and as long as the remedy will not affect the rights of any religion, we will be able to overcome the differences among ourselves.
Wanita MCA urges all Malaysians to stand united to overcome these overzealous extremists. Let us respond with prayers in our own ways that harmony will return. Living in a plural society, we should treasure the peace, cohesion and unity of the country as envisaged by our forefathers in the run-up to Independence. If it is the goal of these troublemakers to unleash and stir mass scale havoc without any consideration for lives and property, we must defeat them through calm, emotional restraint and stability.
Wanita MCA hopes that these extremists will realise beyond their selfish extremism and consider about the future of Malaysia. Their cruelties and cowardly acts of intimidation are a disservice to the nation as foreign direct investors and tourists will be driven away from coming here.
Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Wanita MCA National Chairman
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wanita MCA: Amendments to LRA must protect rights of non-converting spouses & minor children
Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun in response to proposed amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) Act 1976
A briefing on laws pertaining to religious conversion was held at the Federal Territory Mosque where Senior Federal Counsel Mohamad Naser Disa spoke about proposed amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
Joint petition for divorce and alimony
Wanita MCA supports the proposed amendments which gives the civil courts the authority to decide on matters pertaining to the dissolution of marriage which includes divorce, judicial separation and nullity; alimony; custody of children and matrimonial assets. This is parallel with MCA’s position that any marriage contracted by civil law may only be annulled through civil law.
A spouse may have embraced Islam but this does not negate the civil court’s jurisdiction to hear the application for divorce, judicial separation and nullity and/or ancillary relief by the non-converting spouse. Notwithstanding if a spouse has become a Muslim, the civil court still holds jurisdiction in determining issues in respect of the marriage’s dissolution, maintenance to spouse and children, custody, access and division of matrimonial property. The Muallaf is thus obliged by civil law to fulfill his/her obligations under the civil court as contracted by a civil marriage to his/her spouse and minor children.
Division of jointly-acquired matrimonial property
Wanita MCA further endorses the proposed amendments to the LRA with respects to matrimonial assets and property which were jointly-acquired. To allay fears that a non-converting spouse has no access to property which were jointly acquired before the spouse converted to Islam, the proposed amendments run in tandem with MCA’s position that jointly acquired matrimonial properties comprised in the estate prior to the date of conversion should be subject to the civil laws of inheritance and succession for the time in force.
Conversion and custody of minor children
As Naser informed at the briefing that the proposed amendments prohibits either parent from registering the conversion of their children, this is in line with the Cabinet decision on 22 April 2009 that should one spouse embrace Islam, the minor children should be brought up in accordance with the common religion at the time of marriage.
Wanita MCA hereby reiterates MCA’s consistent position that both parents must have equal rights in determining the minor child’s religion. It is in compliance Article 5(1) of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961 (revised 1988) which spells equality of parental rights, i.e. “equality of parental rights or the administration of the income of any such property, a mother shall have equal rights and authority as the law allows to the father, and the rights and authority of mother and father shall be equal.”
It is only ethical that should the Muallaf intend to convert the minor children, he/she ought to inform the non-converting parent and obtain his/her consent before registering the minor children as Muslims.
On any occasion should the child’s religion be in dispute by the other party, it must remain as status quo at the time of birth or as with the common religion of the parents at the time of marriage, until the minor child reaches the age of majority, i.e. 18 years whereupon the child then decides his/her religion.
In the same vein, the rights of the non-converting spouse as to the custody of the child cannot be denied, all just because one spouse chooses to become a Muslim.
Perhaps what is more direly needed now is how the proposed amendments to the LRA may have a bearing on enactments related with religion at all levels so as to ensure that the rights of non-converting parents are protected.
Meanwhile, the proposed amendment to Section 51 of the LRA is also a feasible move which enables Muslim converts to petition for a divorce, judicial separation or nullity in a civil court which previously could only be done by the non-converting spouse citing spousal conversion as a ground for divorce. However, we would like to stress the principle that the converting spouse does not make conversion an excuse to evade his/her obligations within the family but recognize that conversion comes with responsibility.
In addition, we support the proposal to amend Section 89 of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 which stipulates that the Registrar of New Covnerts inform the non-converting families of the conversion.
The amendments must ensure that the rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims are protected.
Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Wanita MCA National Chairman
A briefing on laws pertaining to religious conversion was held at the Federal Territory Mosque where Senior Federal Counsel Mohamad Naser Disa spoke about proposed amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
Joint petition for divorce and alimony
Wanita MCA supports the proposed amendments which gives the civil courts the authority to decide on matters pertaining to the dissolution of marriage which includes divorce, judicial separation and nullity; alimony; custody of children and matrimonial assets. This is parallel with MCA’s position that any marriage contracted by civil law may only be annulled through civil law.
A spouse may have embraced Islam but this does not negate the civil court’s jurisdiction to hear the application for divorce, judicial separation and nullity and/or ancillary relief by the non-converting spouse. Notwithstanding if a spouse has become a Muslim, the civil court still holds jurisdiction in determining issues in respect of the marriage’s dissolution, maintenance to spouse and children, custody, access and division of matrimonial property. The Muallaf is thus obliged by civil law to fulfill his/her obligations under the civil court as contracted by a civil marriage to his/her spouse and minor children.
Division of jointly-acquired matrimonial property
Wanita MCA further endorses the proposed amendments to the LRA with respects to matrimonial assets and property which were jointly-acquired. To allay fears that a non-converting spouse has no access to property which were jointly acquired before the spouse converted to Islam, the proposed amendments run in tandem with MCA’s position that jointly acquired matrimonial properties comprised in the estate prior to the date of conversion should be subject to the civil laws of inheritance and succession for the time in force.
Conversion and custody of minor children
As Naser informed at the briefing that the proposed amendments prohibits either parent from registering the conversion of their children, this is in line with the Cabinet decision on 22 April 2009 that should one spouse embrace Islam, the minor children should be brought up in accordance with the common religion at the time of marriage.
Wanita MCA hereby reiterates MCA’s consistent position that both parents must have equal rights in determining the minor child’s religion. It is in compliance Article 5(1) of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961 (revised 1988) which spells equality of parental rights, i.e. “equality of parental rights or the administration of the income of any such property, a mother shall have equal rights and authority as the law allows to the father, and the rights and authority of mother and father shall be equal.”
It is only ethical that should the Muallaf intend to convert the minor children, he/she ought to inform the non-converting parent and obtain his/her consent before registering the minor children as Muslims.
On any occasion should the child’s religion be in dispute by the other party, it must remain as status quo at the time of birth or as with the common religion of the parents at the time of marriage, until the minor child reaches the age of majority, i.e. 18 years whereupon the child then decides his/her religion.
In the same vein, the rights of the non-converting spouse as to the custody of the child cannot be denied, all just because one spouse chooses to become a Muslim.
Perhaps what is more direly needed now is how the proposed amendments to the LRA may have a bearing on enactments related with religion at all levels so as to ensure that the rights of non-converting parents are protected.
Meanwhile, the proposed amendment to Section 51 of the LRA is also a feasible move which enables Muslim converts to petition for a divorce, judicial separation or nullity in a civil court which previously could only be done by the non-converting spouse citing spousal conversion as a ground for divorce. However, we would like to stress the principle that the converting spouse does not make conversion an excuse to evade his/her obligations within the family but recognize that conversion comes with responsibility.
In addition, we support the proposal to amend Section 89 of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 which stipulates that the Registrar of New Covnerts inform the non-converting families of the conversion.
The amendments must ensure that the rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims are protected.
Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Wanita MCA National Chairman
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wanita MCA Praises Open mindeness of IKIM, Opposes Use of Religion for Hidden Agendas
Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun lauding IKIM’s position on child conversion
Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun lauded Datuk Dr. Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas, Director-General of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), for his enlightened views on the conversion issue. He has stated that any person, including minors, should not be forced to convert to Islam, as it should be a willing submission. He also wishes to see the true form of Islam understood and practised by all sides, instead of it being used to serve personal interests.
Mei Fun agrees with the statements made by Dr. Syed Ali, who on Thursday 11 June made a keynote address titled “Crisis in Religious Thinking” at a seminar held at the Perak Institute of Islamic Administration. During his address, Dr. Syed Ali noted that the ability to think and reason is an important part of the process by which non-Muslims, including minors, convert to Islam.
“Past rulings made by the Cabinet are consistent with the views of Dr. Syed Ali. Children should not be burdened with the responsibility of accepting something that they do not understand. In other words, adults must not unilaterally decide for minors whether or not they convert to Islam,” the Wanita MCA chairman emphasized.
On 2009 April 22, the Cabinet decided that minor children of a couple where one spouse had converted to Islam be raised in accordance with the common religion at the time of their marriage. This ruling revealed the reform and progressive trend on religious issues in Malaysia, as it gained much public support. However, it also faced much opposition from PAS as well as fundamentalist religious elements.
“PAS and other fundamentalist parties should stop their opposition to the Cabinet ruling on child conversion. Instead, they should follow the views of Dr. Syed Ali as part of a general progressive trend of Islamic thought,” Mei Fun stated.
Finally, Chew Mei Fun professes her wish for all parties in Malaysia to work together and cooperate for the greater good and national unity as the main priority, while at the same time maintaining religious harmony, instead of using of religion for personal agendas.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/13/nation/20090613185739&sec=nation
Published: Saturday June 13, 2009 MYT 6:55:00 PM
Ikim’s stand on child conversion wins approval
PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA has applauded the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia ’s (Ikim) stance that child conversion should not be done.
Its chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said children should not be burdened with the responsibility of accepting something which they did not understand.
“Adults must not unilaterally decide for minors whether or not they convert to Islam,” she said in a statement yesterday.
While delivering his keynote address titled Crisis in Religious Thinking, Ikim director-general Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas had said that no one, including minors, should be forced to convert to Islam.
The decision to embrace Islam was a willing submission of which the ability to think and reason played an essential role, he said.
Chew urged PAS and other fundamentalist parties to stop opposing the Cabinet ruling on the religion of children and follow Dr Syed Ali’s views instead as part of a general progressive trend of Islamic thought.
The Cabinet had decided in April that the children of a couple where one spouse converted to Islam later would be raised in accordance with the common religion at the time of the marriage.
Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun lauded Datuk Dr. Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas, Director-General of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), for his enlightened views on the conversion issue. He has stated that any person, including minors, should not be forced to convert to Islam, as it should be a willing submission. He also wishes to see the true form of Islam understood and practised by all sides, instead of it being used to serve personal interests.
Mei Fun agrees with the statements made by Dr. Syed Ali, who on Thursday 11 June made a keynote address titled “Crisis in Religious Thinking” at a seminar held at the Perak Institute of Islamic Administration. During his address, Dr. Syed Ali noted that the ability to think and reason is an important part of the process by which non-Muslims, including minors, convert to Islam.
“Past rulings made by the Cabinet are consistent with the views of Dr. Syed Ali. Children should not be burdened with the responsibility of accepting something that they do not understand. In other words, adults must not unilaterally decide for minors whether or not they convert to Islam,” the Wanita MCA chairman emphasized.
On 2009 April 22, the Cabinet decided that minor children of a couple where one spouse had converted to Islam be raised in accordance with the common religion at the time of their marriage. This ruling revealed the reform and progressive trend on religious issues in Malaysia, as it gained much public support. However, it also faced much opposition from PAS as well as fundamentalist religious elements.
“PAS and other fundamentalist parties should stop their opposition to the Cabinet ruling on child conversion. Instead, they should follow the views of Dr. Syed Ali as part of a general progressive trend of Islamic thought,” Mei Fun stated.
Finally, Chew Mei Fun professes her wish for all parties in Malaysia to work together and cooperate for the greater good and national unity as the main priority, while at the same time maintaining religious harmony, instead of using of religion for personal agendas.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/13/nation/20090613185739&sec=nation
Published: Saturday June 13, 2009 MYT 6:55:00 PM
Ikim’s stand on child conversion wins approval
PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA has applauded the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia ’s (Ikim) stance that child conversion should not be done.
Its chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said children should not be burdened with the responsibility of accepting something which they did not understand.
“Adults must not unilaterally decide for minors whether or not they convert to Islam,” she said in a statement yesterday.
While delivering his keynote address titled Crisis in Religious Thinking, Ikim director-general Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas had said that no one, including minors, should be forced to convert to Islam.
The decision to embrace Islam was a willing submission of which the ability to think and reason played an essential role, he said.
Chew urged PAS and other fundamentalist parties to stop opposing the Cabinet ruling on the religion of children and follow Dr Syed Ali’s views instead as part of a general progressive trend of Islamic thought.
The Cabinet had decided in April that the children of a couple where one spouse converted to Islam later would be raised in accordance with the common religion at the time of the marriage.
Chew puji kenyataan Ketua Pengarah IKIM
Berita Harian OnLine 12 Jun 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: Ketua Wanita MCA, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun memuji pendirian Ketua Pengarah Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM), Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas berhubung status agama yang perlu diamalkan anak selepas ibu bapa mereka bercerai.
Chew berkata, kenyataan Syed Ali itu disifatkannya dibuat untuk memastikan tidak timbul kekeliruan di kalangan masyarakat mengenai perkara berkenaan, perlu dihormati memandangkan perkara itu sering dijadikan isu untuk kepentingan pihak tertentu.
"Sepatutnya beban dipikul anak kepada pasangan yang berpisah tidak ditambah dengan isu agama perlu dianuti dan diamalkan. Syed Ali sendiri bersetuju bahawa semua orang, sama ada ibu bapa atau anak mereka (selepas perceraian) tidak boleh dipaksa untuk menganut dan mengamalkan agama tertentu. Penekanan ini lebih kepada anak yang masih kecil di mana mereka hendaklah memeluk agama (pilihan mereka) secara sukarela. Keputusan Kabinet sebelum ini juga konsisten dengan pandangan Ketua Pengarah IKIM itu," katanya di sini semalam
KUALA LUMPUR: Ketua Wanita MCA, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun memuji pendirian Ketua Pengarah Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM), Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas berhubung status agama yang perlu diamalkan anak selepas ibu bapa mereka bercerai.
Chew berkata, kenyataan Syed Ali itu disifatkannya dibuat untuk memastikan tidak timbul kekeliruan di kalangan masyarakat mengenai perkara berkenaan, perlu dihormati memandangkan perkara itu sering dijadikan isu untuk kepentingan pihak tertentu.
"Sepatutnya beban dipikul anak kepada pasangan yang berpisah tidak ditambah dengan isu agama perlu dianuti dan diamalkan. Syed Ali sendiri bersetuju bahawa semua orang, sama ada ibu bapa atau anak mereka (selepas perceraian) tidak boleh dipaksa untuk menganut dan mengamalkan agama tertentu. Penekanan ini lebih kepada anak yang masih kecil di mana mereka hendaklah memeluk agama (pilihan mereka) secara sukarela. Keputusan Kabinet sebelum ini juga konsisten dengan pandangan Ketua Pengarah IKIM itu," katanya di sini semalam
周美芬赞扬回教研究机构开明看法，各造不应利用宗教谋私利
文告（12/6/2009）
（吉隆坡12日讯）马华妇女组主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬赞扬大马回教研究机构（IKIM）总监拿督赛阿里的开明言论。他表示任何人包括未成年者皈依回教不应存强迫成分，是开明持平的看法。他也希望各造可以更加了解与奉行正信的回教教义，而非通过宗教来达至个人议程。
周美芬是鉴于赛阿里于周四在霹雳回教管理学院一场题为“宗教想法的危机”的演讲致词中，提及用自身思考能力的非回教徒，包括未成年孩童应被给予机会选择是否皈依回教的看法而有此说。
“内阁之前针对改教课题所议决的突破性决定，与赛阿里的看法是不谋而合的。未成年孩童不应该承担以及被逼接受自己不了解的宗教责任；换句话说，成年人是没有权力为未成年孩童决定是否要皈依回教。”
大马内阁于2009年4月22日决定一些改教训令以解决改教课题所应发的种种问题，其中就包括夫妻任何一方改信宗教，孩子必须根据两人结婚时的宗教信仰来抚养。此项改教训令的颁布显示大马宗教课题迎向改革方向，同时获得社会阶层的支持；另一方面，回教党以及宗教极端分子却纷纷反对内阁此项决定。
“回教党以及其他宗教异端分子应该停止反对与抨击内阁做出的改教训令决定，反之应向专职回教研究的赛阿里看齐，跳脱迂腐保守的框架，奉行开明持平的宗教信仰。”她补充。
最后，周美芬希望国内各政党与各造，应该同心协力以人民福利与宗教和谐作为全民团结的主要考量因素，而非炒作宗教课题达成个人目的
（吉隆坡12日讯）马华妇女组主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬赞扬大马回教研究机构（IKIM）总监拿督赛阿里的开明言论。他表示任何人包括未成年者皈依回教不应存强迫成分，是开明持平的看法。他也希望各造可以更加了解与奉行正信的回教教义，而非通过宗教来达至个人议程。
周美芬是鉴于赛阿里于周四在霹雳回教管理学院一场题为“宗教想法的危机”的演讲致词中，提及用自身思考能力的非回教徒，包括未成年孩童应被给予机会选择是否皈依回教的看法而有此说。
“内阁之前针对改教课题所议决的突破性决定，与赛阿里的看法是不谋而合的。未成年孩童不应该承担以及被逼接受自己不了解的宗教责任；换句话说，成年人是没有权力为未成年孩童决定是否要皈依回教。”
大马内阁于2009年4月22日决定一些改教训令以解决改教课题所应发的种种问题，其中就包括夫妻任何一方改信宗教，孩子必须根据两人结婚时的宗教信仰来抚养。此项改教训令的颁布显示大马宗教课题迎向改革方向，同时获得社会阶层的支持；另一方面，回教党以及宗教极端分子却纷纷反对内阁此项决定。
“回教党以及其他宗教异端分子应该停止反对与抨击内阁做出的改教训令决定，反之应向专职回教研究的赛阿里看齐，跳脱迂腐保守的框架，奉行开明持平的宗教信仰。”她补充。
最后，周美芬希望国内各政党与各造，应该同心协力以人民福利与宗教和谐作为全民团结的主要考量因素，而非炒作宗教课题达成个人目的
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Chew: Learning about other faiths doesn’t mean conversion
The Star News : Sunday May 3, 2009
PETALING JAYA: Learning about each other’s religions should not be misconstrued as a sign of potential conversion.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said it was important for people to learn and understand other religions to strengthen inter-religious ties.
PETALING JAYA: Learning about each other’s religions should not be misconstrued as a sign of potential conversion.
Lighting up: Monks and devotees walking alongside a float at the launch of Wesak celebration at Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in Petaling Jaya.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said it was important for people to learn and understand other religions to strengthen inter-religious ties.
“It is very important not to confine ourselves to our own religion.
“We actually need to study other religions as well to understand how they view some issues.
“To strengthen unity among Malaysians, all must be willing to learn and understand other religions.
“However, this does not mean people are seeking to convert to another religion. The purpose is just to understand it better,” Chew said after launching the Wesak Day celebrations and lighting of floats ceremony at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge here.
周美芬：堅持改教方案‧“內閣要貫徹法理”
星洲日报 2009-05-04
（图：CFL）
衛塞節花車亮燈了，千百家佛教居士林也會于5月10日主辦花車大游行。（圖：星洲日報）
劉長發（左）、周美芬（中）和達摩拉達那長老（右）一同主持花車亮燈儀式。（圖：星洲日報)
（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬表示，儘管內閣改教方案受到一些人的反對，但內閣仍舊堅持此項決定，希望能夠通過修改法律，在法理上確實落實。
她週六（5月2日）晚上出席千百家佛教居士林衛塞節推展禮及花車亮燈儀式時指出，內閣的決定需要等待修改法律，才能在法理上貫徹下來。
她說，任何宗教都存有極端和開明兩派，回教也不例外。回教黨波各先那國會議員馬夫茲就反對此項決定，並譴責國家領導做了只照顧少數族群的決定，但內閣堅持此項決定。
居士林10日辦花車大遊行
與此同時，千百家佛教居士林會長劉長發表示，今年的衛塞節口號是“宗教諒解，社會和諧”，並相信佛教一定要深入民間，從家開始。若能奉行，社會和諧很快就能實現。
千百家佛教居士林也將在10日下午6時舉辦花車大遊行，此活動已經舉辦了23年，去年共有22輛花車參與其盛。今年的衛塞節花車大遊行的路線達8公里。
（图：CFL）
衛塞節花車亮燈了，千百家佛教居士林也會于5月10日主辦花車大游行。（圖：星洲日報）
劉長發（左）、周美芬（中）和達摩拉達那長老（右）一同主持花車亮燈儀式。（圖：星洲日報)
（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬表示，儘管內閣改教方案受到一些人的反對，但內閣仍舊堅持此項決定，希望能夠通過修改法律，在法理上確實落實。
她週六（5月2日）晚上出席千百家佛教居士林衛塞節推展禮及花車亮燈儀式時指出，內閣的決定需要等待修改法律，才能在法理上貫徹下來。
她說，任何宗教都存有極端和開明兩派，回教也不例外。回教黨波各先那國會議員馬夫茲就反對此項決定，並譴責國家領導做了只照顧少數族群的決定，但內閣堅持此項決定。
她指出，內閣這項決定是長久爭取來的。很多時候，人只是站在自己的立場瞭解問題。因此，大家有必要多瞭解宗教和種族，這是雙向的，不能單方面作出主動而已。
居士林10日辦花車大遊行
與此同時，千百家佛教居士林會長劉長發表示，今年的衛塞節口號是“宗教諒解，社會和諧”，並相信佛教一定要深入民間，從家開始。若能奉行，社會和諧很快就能實現。
千百家佛教居士林也將在10日下午6時舉辦花車大遊行，此活動已經舉辦了23年，去年共有22輛花車參與其盛。今年的衛塞節花車大遊行的路線達8公里。
出席亮燈儀式的人士還包括馬來西亞佛教首座達摩拉達那長老和覺境法師。
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
马华妇女组谴责回教党宣传局主任拿督马夫兹
文告
马华全国妇女组主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬谴责回教党宣传局主任拿督马夫兹，对内阁宣布，“一旦配偶因改教而对孩子的宗教信仰产生意见分歧，孩子必须按照两人结婚时的共同宗教来教养”的决定套上毋须有的指控。马夫兹声称，“内阁的决定，是巫统为讨好非回教徒，不惜典当回教的证据”。
她认为，首相纳吉的决定可有效避免一些人藉改信宗教来逃避作为父母及为人夫或为人妻的应有责任，这也是维持我国多元社会安宁不可或缺的元素。
内阁的这项决定将有助于解决长期以来，由于改教的配偶在未获得另一配偶的同意下，即单方面更改孩子宗教信仰，而衍生的宗教矛盾。再且，她同意首相署部长拿督斯里纳兹里所指，“一旦夫妻任何一方改信回教，却无法针对孩子的宗教信仰达致共识的话，孩子就必须根据父母结婚时的共同宗教来抚养”。
周美芬进一步指出，内阁给予夫妻享有平等的决定权及责任，反映出政府为保障孩子的利益，所作出的努力。这也符合1999年修改的《1961年儿童监护法令》赋予母亲享有与父亲同等的监护权利。另外，纳兹里也提及为避免因改教引发的矛盾，政府将修改法令。
妇女组也赞扬政府在解决父母擅自更改孩子信仰的课题上，表现了应有的敏感度并作出明智的判断。
马华全国妇女组主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬谴责回教党宣传局主任拿督马夫兹，对内阁宣布，“一旦配偶因改教而对孩子的宗教信仰产生意见分歧，孩子必须按照两人结婚时的共同宗教来教养”的决定套上毋须有的指控。马夫兹声称，“内阁的决定，是巫统为讨好非回教徒，不惜典当回教的证据”。
她认为，首相纳吉的决定可有效避免一些人藉改信宗教来逃避作为父母及为人夫或为人妻的应有责任，这也是维持我国多元社会安宁不可或缺的元素。
内阁的这项决定将有助于解决长期以来，由于改教的配偶在未获得另一配偶的同意下，即单方面更改孩子宗教信仰，而衍生的宗教矛盾。再且，她同意首相署部长拿督斯里纳兹里所指，“一旦夫妻任何一方改信回教，却无法针对孩子的宗教信仰达致共识的话，孩子就必须根据父母结婚时的共同宗教来抚养”。
周美芬进一步指出，内阁给予夫妻享有平等的决定权及责任，反映出政府为保障孩子的利益，所作出的努力。这也符合1999年修改的《1961年儿童监护法令》赋予母亲享有与父亲同等的监护权利。另外，纳兹里也提及为避免因改教引发的矛盾，政府将修改法令。
妇女组也赞扬政府在解决父母擅自更改孩子信仰的课题上，表现了应有的敏感度并作出明智的判断。
Wanita MCA disagrees and condemns statement by Mahfuz
PRESS STATEMENT
By the National Chairman of Wanita MCA in response to the statement made by YB Mahfuz Omar criticising the Cabinet decision on minor children’s religion should one spouse convert
Wanita MCA disagrees and condemns the statement by PAS Information Chief, YB Mahfuz Omar who is also the Member of Parliament for Pokok Sena over his criticisms against the Cabinet decision which announced that minor children will follow the faith which the parents had agreed upon at the time of marriage. (Harakah, 27-30 April pN2).
Mahfuz had also erroneously accused the Barisan Nasional government of “becoming rougher against the rakyat to the level of confiscating the rights of parents towards their children. (“Barisan Nasional (BN) semakin kasar terhadap rakyat sehingga ke peringkat merampas hak ibu bapa ke atas anak-anak mereka [HarakahDaily.Net, 27 April 2009].)
Wanita MCA strongly views that the announcement by the Prime Minister’s administration serves to counteract some quarters’ attempt at evading their family responsibility through the justification of conversion to Islam. Such irresponsible practices should not be condoned. Thus, we believe that this announcement is a pertinent step forward towards preserving harmony, respecting the rights of non-Muslims and the jurisdiction of the civil court in a plural society with diversities such as faith and ethnicity.
We stand by decision of the Cabinet under the new leadership of Dato’ Sri Najib Razak on this long-standing inter-faith conflict arising from conversion of one spouse to Islam and subsequently converting their children to Islam without the consent of the other non-converting spouse. Further, we support the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz that there is “implied and constructive contract between husband and wife that their children should be brought up in accordance to the common religion at the time of marriage” (“Malaysia bars conversion of children by 1 parent”, Associated Press, 23 April 2009).
This announcement reflects the government’s commitment in recognising equal rights and shared responsibilities of both parents in making decisions which are of paramount interest for their children. Also, this announcement is in tandem with the spirit of amendment to Guardianship of Infants Act 1961 at the end of 1999 which guarantees equal rights of mothers to guardianship.
In addition, we laud the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz’s that “amendments are expected to be made to the law to prevent conflicts from surfacing when one spouse converts” (“Malaysia bars conversion of children by 1 parent”, Associated Press, 23 April 2009).
We truly believe that the government’s decision is sensible and sensitive in resolving amicably the issue of conversion of children to Islam by one parent.
Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Wanita MCA National Chairman
By the National Chairman of Wanita MCA in response to the statement made by YB Mahfuz Omar criticising the Cabinet decision on minor children’s religion should one spouse convert
Wanita MCA disagrees and condemns the statement by PAS Information Chief, YB Mahfuz Omar who is also the Member of Parliament for Pokok Sena over his criticisms against the Cabinet decision which announced that minor children will follow the faith which the parents had agreed upon at the time of marriage. (Harakah, 27-30 April pN2).
Mahfuz had also erroneously accused the Barisan Nasional government of “becoming rougher against the rakyat to the level of confiscating the rights of parents towards their children. (“Barisan Nasional (BN) semakin kasar terhadap rakyat sehingga ke peringkat merampas hak ibu bapa ke atas anak-anak mereka [HarakahDaily.Net, 27 April 2009].)
Wanita MCA strongly views that the announcement by the Prime Minister’s administration serves to counteract some quarters’ attempt at evading their family responsibility through the justification of conversion to Islam. Such irresponsible practices should not be condoned. Thus, we believe that this announcement is a pertinent step forward towards preserving harmony, respecting the rights of non-Muslims and the jurisdiction of the civil court in a plural society with diversities such as faith and ethnicity.
We stand by decision of the Cabinet under the new leadership of Dato’ Sri Najib Razak on this long-standing inter-faith conflict arising from conversion of one spouse to Islam and subsequently converting their children to Islam without the consent of the other non-converting spouse. Further, we support the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz that there is “implied and constructive contract between husband and wife that their children should be brought up in accordance to the common religion at the time of marriage” (“Malaysia bars conversion of children by 1 parent”, Associated Press, 23 April 2009).
This announcement reflects the government’s commitment in recognising equal rights and shared responsibilities of both parents in making decisions which are of paramount interest for their children. Also, this announcement is in tandem with the spirit of amendment to Guardianship of Infants Act 1961 at the end of 1999 which guarantees equal rights of mothers to guardianship.
In addition, we laud the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz’s that “amendments are expected to be made to the law to prevent conflicts from surfacing when one spouse converts” (“Malaysia bars conversion of children by 1 parent”, Associated Press, 23 April 2009).
We truly believe that the government’s decision is sensible and sensitive in resolving amicably the issue of conversion of children to Islam by one parent.
Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Wanita MCA National Chairman
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wanita MCA to help in by-elections
The Star News: Monday March 16, 2009
THE Wanita MCA will be stationing its members to help out at the upcoming by-elections, said its chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
“We will station members at the launch of the by-election campaign at Bukit Selambau on March 27 and Bukit Gantang on March 28,” she said after launching the Guan Yin Bamboo Groove at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge (CBL) yesterday.
Commenting on the issue of declaring assets, she said it was a good practice but questioned the level of transparency.
Joining in: Chew (left) joining the devotees in the ceremonies during the launch.
Many devotees thronged the Buddhist lodge as the launch also coincided with the Bodhisattva Guan Yin’s birthday celebrations.
CBL president Liew Chang Huat said the Guan Yin Bamboo Groove project, which began in 2007, is partly complete and the work for the beautification of the surroundings and the installation of 33 forms of Guan Yin images was still in process.
There will also be a charity concert on June 6 at SJK (C) Yuk Chai to raise funds for the Chempaka Welfare Home.
CBL can be contacted at 03-7880 3936.
THE Wanita MCA will be stationing its members to help out at the upcoming by-elections, said its chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
“We will station members at the launch of the by-election campaign at Bukit Selambau on March 27 and Bukit Gantang on March 28,” she said after launching the Guan Yin Bamboo Groove at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge (CBL) yesterday.
Commenting on the issue of declaring assets, she said it was a good practice but questioned the level of transparency.
Joining in: Chew (left) joining the devotees in the ceremonies during the launch.
Many devotees thronged the Buddhist lodge as the launch also coincided with the Bodhisattva Guan Yin’s birthday celebrations.
CBL president Liew Chang Huat said the Guan Yin Bamboo Groove project, which began in 2007, is partly complete and the work for the beautification of the surroundings and the installation of 33 forms of Guan Yin images was still in process.
The Chempaka Buddhist Lodge is looking for 1,000 sponsors for the Guan Yin Bamboo Groove project at RM1,000 per sponsor.
There will also be a charity concert on June 6 at SJK (C) Yuk Chai to raise funds for the Chempaka Welfare Home.
“We hope to buy the house next to the home to provide more space for the children,” Liew said.
The home, situated next to CBL, occupies two houses. It will cost about RM525,000 to buy the adjoining unit.
The home, situated next to CBL, occupies two houses. It will cost about RM525,000 to buy the adjoining unit.
CBL can be contacted at 03-7880 3936.
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