More than 30 years after, 137 Orang Asli allowed to challenge alleged unlawful mass conversion into Islam

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Filed on Sept 28, 2022, the suit alleged that the wrongful and illegal conversion was carried out at the Orang Asli’s home - Picture from Siti Kasim's Facebook, October 9, 2024

More than 30 years after, 137 Orang Asli allowed to challenge alleged unlawful mass conversion into Islam

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9, 2024: The Putrajaya Court of Appeal today allowed a group of 137 Orang Asli from the Bateq Mayah ethnic group in Pahang to revive their challenge over their alleged unlawful mass conversion into Islam over 30 years ago.

The court ordered their lawsuit to be remitted to the Kuantan High Court for hearing.

Justice S Nantha Balan, who chaired the panel of judges, said the suit needs to be heard as it involved very serious and scandalous allegations of unlawful forced conversion.

Nantha Balan said the High Court should not have dismissed the plaintiffs’ application for extension of time in the interest of justice.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the court proceedings:

Malaysia

137 Orang Asli allowed to challenge alleged unlawful mass conversion

This came about after the court ordered their lawsuit to be remitted to the Kuantan High Court for hearing.

Updated 27 minutes ago · Published on 09 Oct 2024 6:39PM

Filed on Sept 28, 2022, the suit alleged that the wrongful and illegal conversion was carried out at the Orang Asli’s home - Picture from Siti Kasim's Facebook, Octtober 9, 2024

THE Putrajaya Court of Appeal has allowed a group of 137 Orang Asli from the Bateq Mayah ethnic group in Pahang to revive their challenge over their alleged unlawful mass conversion into Islam over 30 years ago.

This came about after the court ordered their lawsuit to be remitted to the Kuantan High Court for hearing.

Justice Datuk S Nantha Balan, who chaired the panel of judges, said the suit needs to be heard as it involved very serious and scandalous allegations of unlawful forced conversion.

He said the federal and state authorities are at liberty to file their affidavit-in-reply by Nov 11, with case management scheduled for the following day.

Last year, the High Court allowed the federal government and five other defendants’ applications to strike out the civil action without hearing its merits.

They are the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), its director and officer, and the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council.

Nantha Balan said the High Court should not have dismissed the plaintiffs’ application for extension of time in the interest of justice.

Federal counsel Sallehudin Ali appeared for federal and state authorities, while lawyer A Surendra Ananth represented the plaintiffs.

Filed on Sept 28, 2022, the suit alleged that the wrongful and illegal conversion was carried out at the Orang Asli’s home at Kampung Benchah Kelubi, Merapoh, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, in April 1993. - October 9, 2024