Rilek1Corner

Tag: 1Malaysia

  • Things Are Not Looking Good For Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak

    Things Are Not Looking Good For Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak

    Criticism against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak appears to be gaining steam outside of the country, with The Myanmar Times now jumping onto the bandwagon.

    In its opinion page dated February 23, the writer Roger Mitton, presented a bleak picture on the issue, describing it as a “gluey black sea of venality the likes of which has not been seen in this region since the days of President Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines.”

    He said things are so bad that Umno-owned newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, had to carry an editorial to try to exonerate Najib and shift the blame elsewhere.

    “It failed, of course,” he said, adding it was because the newspaper was arguing against facts that indicate “Najib is steadily sinking into the treacly pit of corruption and maladministration.”

    Mitton said the controversy surrounding debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, as reported by the New York Times, recently also were not helping in lifting his image for the better.

    “It is hard to truly comprehend the full magnitude of this gigantic, nepotistic malfeasance, and even the illustrious New York Times took three pages to try to do it,” he wrote.

    The Myanmar Times’ article also alleged that Riza, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s son, was responsible for most of the woes brought about by the 1MDB debacle, due to his association with Penang businessmen Jho Low.

    “Why and how? There is no clear answer, except to recall that Najib is under the sway of Rosmah, a shopaholic wrecking ball, who shrugs off ridicule and ignores how her actions thwart her husband’s premiership,” he wrote.

    Mitton went on to say that the personal damage to Najib “is piffling compared to the disastrous effect the huge 1MDB losses are having on the already fragile Malaysian economy.”

    Adding on, the article said that political support for the ruling party in Malaysia was also diminishing, taking note the results in the last general elections that saw the voting pattern swaying towards opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

    He said that since the failure to reverse the drop in votes experienced by his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib has clung onto the Umno leadership by appeasing his key support base, the Malays, “and marginalising the Chinese and Indian communities.”

    Followed by the move to keep the Sedition Act and Anwar’s jailing, Mittton said “these actions signal a premier running scared.”

    He said that in any case, Najib’s survival may depend more on Umno elders the likes of former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and former finance ministers Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tunku Razaleigh Hamzah.

    “Since they have all turned against him, though, the omens are not good.” he said.

     

    Source: www.themalaysianinsider.com

  • Why I Left For Malaysia…

    Why I Left For Malaysia…

    In 2013, I packed my bags, quit my job , withdrew my entire savings from the bank and left for Kuala Lumpur (KL) with my husband. To me, leaving Singapore was one of the most difficult decision I had made in my life. It was not a surprise that none of my family members or close friends could not understand my decision.

    I spent a year thinking deeply before I finally came to a decision.  But when I excitedly announced my plans to people around me, I have received no positive responses. None of the people around me were supportive. Instead, many have asked me why I have chosen to relocate to Malaysia when most Singaporeans are leaving for countries with a higher standard of living like Australia, Canada or USA.

    So, why am I leaving Singapore when plenty of Malaysians are trying to get into my country? Even my Malaysians colleagues are very surprised when they learnt that I am actually a Singaporean. I was even told by several of them that a lot of their Malaysian friends have actually renounced their Malaysian citizenship to become Singaporeans. No Singaporeans would want leave Singapore for Malaysia. Why I have not follow the norm?

    Well, it all began with my Malaysian husband who desperately wanted to be back home permanently. Of course, we fought several times because of this issue. We could be in a long distance relationship which I thunk I can never accept. However, we never have the intention to break up. We simply could not because we just love each other too much.

    So, we were left with only two options – Continue to live our life in Singapore or get married and settle down in KL.

    After giving much thoughts to this matter, you would know that I have chosen to get married and relocate to KL with my husband. This is seriously the most difficult decision for me to make in the entire 22 years of my life. In this blog post, I shall be documenting my reasons that eventually led me into making my final decision.

    Pros of Living in Malaysia

    1. Transport system

    Certainly, KL does not have the best transport system in the world. But at least, it is definitely efficient enough to transport me to most of the places in KL without frequent breakdown or delays. In fact, I always find the trains in KL to be more efficient than the ones in Singapore. Similarly, trains are relatively crowded during peak hours too. But definitely, not as crowded as in Singapore. I found it very stressful and mentally draining to commute in extremely overcrowded trains everyday when I was still in Singapore. It was even worst when trains started to breakdown more frequently than before as I have to spend more time on commuting everyday.

    However, buses in KL tend not to arrive on time as traffic congestion can be pretty bad during the peak hours. So, waiting for buses in KL can be rather frustrating at times. I will try to avoid commuting by bus in KL as much as I could.

    The bus services in Singapore are still far from being reliable or punctual either. Just like the trains, delays are common nowadays. Even when the buses managed to arrive on time, they are usually packed like sardine.

    Singapore used to have one of the best transport system in the world. However, in recent years, I started to feel very disappointed with our transport system. I actually find commuting to work in Singapore to be more stressful than the work itself.

    Now, I feel really glad that I have made the right decision to relocate to KL. Certainly, I would never want to experience the stress of commuting to work ever in life again.

    In Malaysia, a country where public transportation is still lacking, living without a car is difficult and inconvenient. But luckily, cars are available at pretty affordable price in Malaysia, but not really cheap if you are considering the fact that the country actually manufacture its own cars. Unlike in Singapore, I am really glad that I do not need to pay a hefty price to bid for a piece of paper in order buy a new car in Malaysia. All I would need to pay for is only the price of the vehicle itself. Of course, not taking into the account of bank loan interest, road tax and insurance.

    Car Ownership

    KL is often well-known for its terrible traffic congestion, no matter the time of the day. So, be prepared to find yourself caught in a jam for at least an hour if you are driving your way to work.

    Parking

    Most of the time, you probably do not need to pay a fee to park your car unless you are driving into major shopping malls, business buildings or city areas. If not, you could just park in any empty space which you could find around the vicinity. However, in certain areas, you would need to look out for any traffic police who may appear any time to issue you a summon for illegal parking.

    Living with car in Malaysia has gave me plenty of freedom and convenience to travel around and explore the rest of the country. I find this so much better than having to squeeze into a crowded train or bus just to get to any shopping mall in Singapore.

    3. Public holidays

    Malaysia has one of the highest number of public holidays in the world, currently ranking number seven in the top ten countries after Thailand, Indonesia, India and Hong kong. Just in KL alone, I would be enjoying at least 18 days off from work a year for free. Undeniably, this is the most awesome part about working in KL!

    Now, I believe many of you might start to question whether Malaysians do ever work. Of course they do. In fact, working overtime is quite common, but for me, I usually get to knock off from work on time at 5.30pm. The latest would be 6pm for me. Most of the colleagues, including my boss would probably leave the office by 7 pm.

    Working in KL enables me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Other than working in the office, I am happy that I actually have plenty of time for my family and personal life as well. I enjoy the slower pace of life in KL very much. Now, I am glad to have escape from the hectic Singapore lifestyle for good.

    4. Compulsory CPF contribution

    Put aside the conversion rate, the salary package is really not that bad in KL. Currently, I am earning so much more as compared to the times when I was still working in Singapore. Furthermore, it is not a mandatory for me to contribute to CPF (known as EPF) in Malaysia. Certainly, I do not mind even if it is a must for me to make a contribution to EPF too. Unlike Singapore, EPF can be fully withdraw after reaching the age of 55. It will become part of my retirement fund.

    CPF vs EPF contribution & interest rates

    In addition, I did a quick comparison between Singapore CPF and Malaysia EPF contribution and interest rates.

    EPF Vs CPF 1

    In Singapore, employed Singaporean citizen up to the age of 50 are obligated to contribute 20% of their wages into their respective CPF accounts every month. The employer, on the other hand, are required to contribute an additional amount equivalent 16% of the employee’s monthly wage.

    Whereas, in Malaysia, employed Malaysian citizen up to the age of 60, earning less than RM 5000 per month, are obligated to contribute 11% of  their wages into their respective EPF accounts. Correspondingly, the employer are required to contribute an additional amount equivalent 13% of the employee’s monthly wage.

    However for employee who earns more than RM 5000 per month or above, the employer are only required to contribute an additional amount equivalent 12% of the employee’s monthly wage to their EPF account. For employees aged 60 and above, they may opt to continue to contribute to their EPF account at a reduced 50% rate,

    I would prefer the EPF system, where I would have more spare cash to spend. Perhaps I could do some long-term investment if I wish to. There may be a chance that I mismanage my finances and left me with little savings for retirement. But who can be sure of that? I would prefer to plan my retirement myself while enjoying my life. Undoubtedly, deducting 20% from my monthly wages is definitely going to result me missing a lot of things in life. The even bad news is that CPF cannot be fully withdraw even when employees have reached their retirement age.

    EPF Vs CPF 2

    Furthermore, CPF have been paying a fixed interest rates to its contributors, which has remained unchanged over the years. CPF interest rate for its Ordinary Account is fixed at 2.5% annually. As for its Special, Medisave and Retirement Accounts, the interest rate is fixed at 4% per year.

    EPF has a guarantee a minimum dividend rate of 2.5% annually, but usually, it is much more higher. A 6.35% dividend rate is declared in 2013, the highest ever payout in over a decade.

    Which is the better system? I shall leave it for you guys to judge.

    5. Cost of living

    When compared to the cost of living in Singapore, KL is still an affordable city to live in. Although the cost of eating out in KL is higher than in Singapore, the price of housing, healthcare and public transportation remain at affordable levels. It is relatively cheap to rent a room in KL. With RM 600 per month, you could probably rent an entire 3 rooms apartment that is located outside of the city area. There are plently of rooms for rent in a semi-detached house for as low as RM 250 per month too.

    A condominum that is located outside of the KL city would probably cost about RM 600k. Apparently, this is how much a 4-room HDB flat would cost in Singapore. If I have an option, I would definitely choose to live in a condominum.

    The ridiculous high cost associated with raising a child in Singapore scares me very much too. How am I going to raise a child when I am struggling to feed myself?

    6. Obsessed with paper qualification

    Singapore is an extremely competitive society obsessed with paper qualifications. A thing which I always hate because it give rise to elitism in our society.

    I am always not a very ambitious person. All I wanted in life is to have a job that will give me a decent and stable income. I once thought that completing university will help me to make enough income to lead a comfortable life. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

    Having an university qualification in Singapore is no big deal, especially for those that are obtained from a private institution. In fact, based on my personal experience, private diplomas and degrees are often not recognized by the government sectors.

    Between work experiences and paper qualifications, I believe most employers in Singapore would prefer to hire the better educated candidate rather than the one who only have plenty of work experiences.

    A local degree holder would naturally fetch a higher pay than a private degree holder. To me, this is absolutely frustrating because I seriously think that private university are no way inferior to the local university. Throughout my three years in private university, I spent two of the years working full time in the day and attending part-time classes at night. I gained experiences which are never taught in books. But that does not help me to start anywhere higher than those who actually graduated from a local university. I got even more frustrated to know that even a foreigner who holds a foreign degree from some unrecognized university is offered a better pay package than me.

    Furthermore, being overly obsessed with chasing paper qualifications actually makes Singaporeans apathetic to changes around them. Singapore is an emotionless society filled with not really ‘nice’ people. I do not mean that Singaporeans are not nice and friendly. But rather, our niceties does not seem to go beyond the surface level. Most of time we are just too obsessed with striving for excellence that we forget about caring for others.

    To put it in other words, Singapore education system is rigid and very result-orientated, which does not encourage innovative and creative individuals. I believe this is also the reason why Singapore has not been very successful in producing as much entrepreneurs as Malaysia.

    I have never encountered such problem while I was seeking for employment in KL. Paper qualification is important too, but without relevant experiences, chances of you securing an employment will be lower. Most Malaysians I have met are very friendly people who I could easily start a conversation with.

    7. Flexibility

    In Singapore, everyone simply just follow what the higher authorities say we should do. Although we often question the golden rule set by these people, eventually, we will still do whatever we are told to do. In fact, we have become extremely reliant on the rules set by higher authorities that we started to lose our own ability to solve problems.

    The society lacks the flexibility to handle new challenges. Singaporeans are generally ‘trained’ to follow rules. I must say that we really did a good job on that. But sometimes, I really feel that our society is just too structured and rigid, which does not really encourage creativity.

    I would not deny that Singapore is indeed a very fast and efficient country. But it comes with a price. A higher quality of life will naturally leads to a higher cost of living. Did I asked for that? Not really. I just wanted a simple and not so stressful life.

    Cons of Living in Malaysia

    I believe every city has it good and bad side. KL is definitely is not exception as well. Having listed all the good aspects of living in KL, let us look at some of the bad aspects of this city now.

    1. Ringgit – the weaker currency

    Undeniably, the weakening currency is always the bad thing about working in Malaysia. To be frank, I was actually surprised by the price of goods in Malaysia. All of a sudden, I realized that I could no longer buy as much products as before. Yes, it is certainly very frustrating, especially for those who just love shopping very much. But at least, I have learnt to spend my money more wisely now.

    My Singaporean friends often told me that the cost of living in Malaysia is very low, thus I would have nothing much to worry about. I always thought so too. But I would probably ask them to stop comparing apples to oranges now. Cost of living in Malaysia is low, but not as cheap as we assumed it to be. Without the high exchange rates between SGD and MYR, Malaysia, or particularly KL, can quite an expensive country to live in. Locals who are earning their income in Malaysia are struggling to make ends meet every month due to the high cost of living. Eating out is expensive where a plate of chicken rice will easily cost you RM 5. Then I will see people starting to convert the RM 5 into SGD and thought that is really cheap.

    However, if you gave it a deeper thought, if you are earning SGD, I believe you will be spending your income in Singapore too. Thus, it is not very right to convert and compare the price of goods in Malaysia with those in Singapore.

    The weaker Ringgit also makes travelling seems almost impossible most of the time. For Southeast Asia countries, except for Singapore, it is still fine. However, if you wish to visit Europe, I believe you would need to have at least RM 15k in hand.

    2. Language barriers

    In Malaysia, where unlike Singapore, Bahasa Malaysia is the national language. Thus, it is relatively important for one to be conversant in Bahasa Malaysia, especially when you plan to set up a business in Malaysia.

    Communicating with the Malaysian Chinese living in KL is not a problem as most of them can either speak Mandarin or Cantonese. However, I find it difficult to engage in a conversation with the Malay population, who usually communicate in Behasa Malaysia. Even so, I am glad that there is actually quite a number of them who are rather fluent in English language. But still, it is important and good for me to master some basic Behasa Malaysia if I have decided to stay in KL on a long-term basis.

    3. Higher crime rates

    Crimes are pretty rampant in Malaysia nowadays, especially theft, pickpocketing and rapes. In Malaysia, I have to stay alert and be very careful with all my personal belongings at all times. I could no longer enjoy the kind of safe environment like I used to while I was still in Singapore.

    4. Lesser career advancement & opportunities

    Comparing to Singaporeans, Malaysians are less ambitious. Most of them are easily satisfied with a decent and stable job, thus job hopping is actually less common. As a result, there are actually lesser career advancement opportunities available in the workforce. Companies in Malaysia seldom send its employees for trainings too. Most of them would not see the need to.

    To an extent, this is not an absolutely bad thing. At least I would not feel the pressure and stress to constantly upgrade myself to survive in the competitive society.

    Conclusion

    Do I see myself moving back to Singapore someday? Well, probably, but chances are not high. Currently, I feel really satisfied with my life in KL. But for certain, I do not have the intention to give up my Singapore citizenship. After all, Singapore is still my homeland.

    I used to love my little red dot very much and feel very proud to be a Singaporean. However, life has become so stressful and tough in Singapore in the past decade. The Singapore which I have knew is changed. Will I be able to earn enough to even feed myself? I am not very confident with that. Even if I could, I am not satisfied with just living with the bare minimum, struggling every month to make ends meet. I also hate to share our limited spaces with all the foreigners who Singapore welcomed in with open arms.

    We could have postponed our plans where we continue to work in Singapore and only relocate to KL once we have enough savings to provide us a comfortable life. But how old we would be when that time finally comes? It is better that we start everything anew when we are still young.

    If I were to become rich someday, I might fell in love with this city once again. But now, I am satisified with my life in KL. Apart from that, I also enjoy exploring the rural side of Malaysia very much.

    Elin Chow

    *Article first appeared on http://elinchow.blogspot.sg/

     

    Source: www.therealsingapore.com

  • Najib Razak Launches Index To Measure Malaysia’s Compliance To Islamic Teachings

    Najib Razak Launches Index To Measure Malaysia’s Compliance To Islamic Teachings

    PUTRAJAYA — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak launched today (Feb 10) a Shariah Index to “scientifically” measure the country’s compliance to Islamic teachings, saying the index would also benefit non-Muslims.

    The index will measure the compliance of eight fields — judiciary, politics, economics, health, education, culture, infrastructure and environment, and social — with “maqasid syariah”, or the intentions of Shariah.

    “Non-Muslims also benefit from using the index,” Mr Najib said in his keynote address at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here.

    “If we together accept the values of discipline, trust, justice, efficiency, effectiveness and transparency as universal values, then we will accept the two functions of the Malaysian Shariah Index that I mentioned just now,” the prime minister added.

    The two functions of the index Mr Najib referred to were to measure the Shariah-compliance of national policies, as well as the Shariah-compliance of their implementation.

    Mr Najib gave the examples of non-Muslims opening Islamic bank accounts and halal certification as proof of them accepting Islamic systems.

    There are five aspects of “maqasid shariah”: Preserving religion, life, intellect, heredity and possessions.

    Mr Naib first announced the index last year and said it was being developed through an effort spearheaded by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia in collaboration with the International Islamic University of Malaysia and the Islamic Missionary Foundation of Malaysia.

     

    Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

  • Anwar Ibrahim Lashes Out At Federal Court Decision

    Anwar Ibrahim Lashes Out At Federal Court Decision

    Malaysia’s highest court has upheld a sodomy conviction against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, sentencing him to five years’ jail amid angry scenes that will inflame political tensions across the country.

    Dr Anwar, 67, warned before the verdict was delivered that jailing him would backfire on Malaysia’s government. He lashed out at the judges after prosecutors argued his sentence be at least six years’ jail, saying they had “bowed to their political masters”.

    “You could have carved your names . . . but in bowing to the dictates of your political masters, you have become partners in the murder of the judiciary. You chose to remain on the dark side,” he said.

    When Dr Anwar refused to stop speaking, the judges left the court. “Allah is my witness. I will not be silent. I will never surrender,” he said.

    Lead prosecutor Muhammad Shafee Abdullah argued the original sentence of five years’ jail was “manifestly inadequate”.

    He said Dr Anwar had shown no remorse. “The higher the man, the higher the crime,” Mr Shafee said, referring to Dr Anwar’s government service.

    The conviction disqualifies Dr Anwar from political office and contesting the next election, which must be held by 2018.

    Repeated charges of sodomy brought against Dr Anwar over more than a decade have been seen as an attempt to end his threat to the government’s increasingly precarious 58-year reign.

    The conviction will renew criticism of the Malaysian government’s frequent use of courts to cripple its political opponents. Within minutes of the verdict being announced, the government issued a statement claiming that Malaysia has an independent judiciary.

    “In this case, exhaustive and comprehensive due process has been followed over many years,” a government spokesperson said. “We call on all parties involved to respect the legal process and the judgement.”

    The country’s colonial-era law, which criminalises consensual sexual acts between people of the same sex, has been condemned by the United Nations and many Western countries, including Australia.

    After Dr Anwar had been take to jail the Abbott government issued a statement expressing disappointment at the verdict.

    “We are deeply concerned by the severity of the sentence and we have made our concerns known to the Malaysian Government,” a spokesperson said.

    “As a friend of Malaysia, Australia encourages the Malaysian Government to consider the impact of recent decisions, including the Anwar verdict and the retention of the Sedition Act, on its international standing and its commitment to human rights.”

    David Wells, a forensic expert from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine who gave evidence in Dr Anwar’s first trial, said the scientific evidence led by the prosecution was deeply flawed and was accepted as such by the presiding judge when he delivered a not guilty verdict, which was later overturned.

    “It is difficult to see how this position has changed in the absence of fresh evidence,” Professor Wells said.

    Hundreds of chanting opposition supporters rallied outside the Federal Court in Kuala Lumpur as Dr Anwar arrived with his wife Wan Azizah Ismail, family members and senior opposition figures to hear the verdict.

    Ms Wan Azizah said her husband was innocent and the judges must answer to God and their conscience. Dr Anwar hugged members of his weeping family after the verdict was read to a hushed and packed court.

    Human rights groups called the verdict a travesty of justice.

    “Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government has persisted in its politically motivated prosecution of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim at the expense of democratic freedoms and the rights to non-discrimination and privacy for all Malaysians,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Allowing this travesty of justice to stand will further undermine respect for rights and democracy in Malaysia.”

    A former deputy prime minister once seen as a rising star among Asia’s political leaders, Dr Anwar was accused of sodomising a male aide in 2008 but was acquitted by the High Court in 2012. However the Appeals Court overturned the acquittal in March last year and sentenced him to five years’ jail.

    Dr Anwar was previously imprisoned for six years after being ousted as deputy prime minister in 1998 on earlier charges of sodomy and abuse of power. He was freed in 2004 after Malaysia’s top court quashed that conviction.

    Dr Anwar has maintained all of the charges were trumped up to kill his political career after a falling-out with former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

    Tuesday’s verdict is seen as a turning point in Malaysia’s sharply divided political system, in which the coalition led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has held power in one form or another since 1955.

    Only a pro-rural gerrymander saved the coalition from defeat at bitterly contested elections in 2013, after Dr Anwar’s opposition alliance won the popular vote.

    As tensions have risen in the country ahead of the verdict, the government made a flurry of arrests and prosecutions using a draconian sedition law that Mr Najib had pledged to abolish in 2001.

    The quashing of dissent comes at a time Mr Najib is locked in a long-simmering battle with Dr Mahathir and other conservatives in UMNO.

    Dr Mahathir, 89, has criticised a state-owned strategic investment firm called 1Malaysia Development Berhad, headed by Mr Najib, that has been plagued by charges of mismanagement. The firm has missed three payments on a $US600 million loan but the government insists it remains solvent.

    Dr Mahathir, an abrasive and outspoken figure who remains a powerful influence in UMNO, has also blamed Mr Najib for the party’s poor poll result in 2013 and for plans to scale back a program that provides special privileges for the country’s Malay majority.

    Mr Najib has also been embarrassed by allegations swirling around the gruesome slaying of Mongolian socialite Altantuya Shaariibuu eight years ago that have re-emerged after two of his former bodyguards were sentenced to hang in January over the murder.

    The case has raised allegations of covert payments over Malaysia’s $US2 billion purchase of French submarines when Mr Najib was defence minister. Mr Najib and the government deny any wrongdoing.

    Australia has been drawn into the case after Sirul Azhar Umar, one of the bodyguards, was arrested in Queensland. He is being held in immigration detention at Sydney’s Villawood detention centre.

    Dr Anwar has been the unifying figure in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance), holding together three unlikely partners, the Islamic PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party), the secular and socialist DAP (Democratic Action Party) and Dr Anwar’s PKR (People’s Justice Party).

     

    Source: www.theage.com.au

  • Sabah Christian Angry That Daughter Was Converted To Islam Without His Knowledge

    Sabah Christian Angry That Daughter Was Converted To Islam Without His Knowledge

    PAPAR, Feb 8 — Sitting on the porch of his wooden stilt house, Sabahan rubber tapper Jilius Yapoo’s eyes welled up with tears when he recalled his shock earlier this week when he saw his 16-year-old daughter in a tudung (Muslim headscarf) for the first time.

    The staunch Christian dusun said he had gone to his daughter’s hostel to take her home for the weekend when the teenager emerged garbed in the tudung, looking upset.

    “She was wearing the tudung and showed it to me. I teared up and she looked at me and cried.

    “She told me she had converted into Islam and could not back out now. I was absolutely speechless,” said Jilius, choking back tears.

    The father of eight from the Kaiduan village in Kawang lodged a police report on Wednesday after being told by his relative that his daughter was seen in the Muslim headscarf at her school SMK Kinarut.

    He said he had earlier tried to take the matter to the school’s Parents Teachers Association meeting but was allegedly rebuffed and told to calm down.

    Jilius said he had also tried to see his daughter the day of the meeting, but was not able to.

    “It was only two days later that I went to pick her up from school to take her home for the weekend when I got to see her, but she said she would not be coming home this week,” the distraught father lamented to Malay Mail Online when met at his home yesterday.

    “She is only 16, underaged, and should not need to make a decision like this. Even if she had willingly declared the words (shahadah, the Islamic declaration of belief Allah and Muhammad), and wanted to convert, she and the school should have informed me,” said Jilius.

    Malay Mail Online had on Thursday reported that authorities are investigating the alleged “Islamisation” of a Christian student in SMK Kinarut near here by the school hostel’s warden.

    It is believed that the school’s former hostel warden had incited the conversion of the student with the recital of the shahadah, forcing her into embracing Islam despite being “underaged”.

    According to the student’s mother, Jaina Yassin, her daughter had a lot of Muslim friends in school but never mentioned anything about changing her faith.

    “We used to pray as a family with our pastor, who came to the house sometimes. When we heard she was wearing a headscarf and had converted, our hearts just sank.

    “How can this happen?

    “We have three other children studying in the same school and I fear this might happen to them as well,” she said, adding that the church pastor had suggested they consider transferring her out of the school.

    The family, with Jilius as the sole breadwinner, earns a small income of up to RM350 a month.

    The money is used to support the ten people living in their home, which is in the rural West coast of Sabah.

    The village consists mostly of subsistence farmers and there is no telephone reception or television available, although there is electricity and running water.

    “I sent her to school for her to learn and get an education. Not to be converted into another religion.

    “As long as she is underaged and under my care, she cannot make this decision. When she reaches the age of consent, then it is up to her,” said Jilius.

    Village safety and security committee chairman Michael Frederick said it was unusual for the school to allow a religious conversion without asking for the student’s parent’s permission.

    “Usually they notify parents just to take their students out from school and a letter needs to be produced and signed by parents and acknowledged by the committee.

    “We are not against freedom to choose religion but I hope the authorities will look into this and ensure it was carried out properly in the future, without ill motives from the school, and with parents consent.

    “We cannot have students going to school one religion and coming out another,” said Michael.

    Sabah police have said that the case has been referred to the state religious authorities for further action.

    State Education Department director Datuk Jame Alip when contacted said that the matter is now in the hands of the police. He declined further comment.

    Christian groups in Sabah have recently cried foul to alleged furtive attempts to convert Bumiputera followers of the faith to Islam.

    In January 2014, a group of indigenous Sabahan villagers from the remote Pitas district were reportedly deceived into embracing Islam for RM100 by a Muslim welfare group.

    Sabah Council of Churches as well as the Roman Catholic Church of Sabah had also complained officially to the Education Ministry last year of a covert ploy to convert under-aged Christian students at the residential Labuan Matriculation College to Islam.

     

    Source: www.themalaymailonline.com