United against conversion without consent

suppadmin | March 29, 2015

The three components parties, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) jointly held a statement urging the Education department to ensure that minors were not converted without the parents consent.

Secretary general of SUPP, Dato’ Sebastian Ting who represent SUPP said they were disturbed by news of a 13 year old who was enticed to convert.

Ting said school is a place for education and the student is only 13 years old. He said at her age, she could not make a decision and has no legal capacity to make that sort of decision. “Even if they express interest in the religion, the teachers should inform the principal as it is the principal’s responsibility where the student is concerned,” he said.

Ting said the principal should keep in touch with the student’s parents and not the teachers.

Asking West Malaysian teachers to be sensitive to the religion in Sarawak, Ting said all these while Sarawakians has enjoyed harmony and peace with all races and religions. There was mutual respect for each other and such teachers should not destroyed the harmony here.

Ting suggested that the department of education should give directive to all school principals that the teachers should teach as expected and not convert students. “Those found doing so, appropriate action should be taken against them,” he added.

He pointed out that it is time to get Sarawak teachers to teach the students here as they are more understanding on the cultural aspect.