Cops probe case of man who made Muslim woman renounce faith

KUALA LUMPUR – Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri today urged the public to let the relevant authorities take necessary action against a non-Muslim man who claimed in a video, which has since gone viral, to have gotten a Muslim woman to apostatise.

He said police are investigating the matter.

“The position of Islam is guaranteed under Article 3 of the federal constitution, while Article 11 of the federal constitution recognises the rights and freedom of religion for Muslims and those from other religions.

“Even so, the spread of other religions is subject to Article 11 (4).”

Zulkifli said the clause empowers states to formulate laws to control the spread of other religions to Muslims, including attempts to persuade, coax or invite the latter to leave their religion either through preaching, marriage or any other means.

He added that almost all states have the control and restriction of the propagation of non-Islamic religions enactment, which is based on Article 11 (4) of the federal constitution.

“I understand that this enactment for the Federal Territory is in the final process of drafting. This is one of the government’s priorities in strengthening the shariah law in Malaysia.”

Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police have identified the 29-year-old man, following an inspection at a house in Perjiranan Dato Onn, Johor Baru, at 9.50pm on Friday.

“Police received information that the man was in the house, but later found that only his father and sister live there, so no arrest and seizure was made.”

He said the case is being investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Criminal Investigation Unit under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 233 of the Multimedia Communications Act 1998 and Sections 298 and 505 (C) of the Penal Code.

In the three-minute viral video, the man claims to have made a Muslim woman, believed to be his wife, renounce her faith. – Bernama, February 21, 2021