Ong Ka Ting takes on sensitive issues, 1 after another

Ong Ka Ting takes on sensitive issues, 1 after another
http://69.64.71.184/mni/ong-ka-ting-takes-on-sensitive-issues-1-after-another.html

Cabinet member-turned-backbencher throws political correctness to the winds
KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 ? Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting threw off the shackles today and
trampled on all the sensitive topics that he and the MCA have studiously avoided
over the years. If this is the approach that MCA politicians will take from now
on, they could end up stealing the thunder from the Opposition and also put them
on the path of confrontation with Umno and the powerful religious authorities.

Delivering the motion of thanks on the royal address, the MCA president said
that non-Muslims should not be subjected to any form of syariah laws. Also
non-Muslims who convert to Islam after marriage should be allowed to renounce
the religion after the marriage has ended.

This is the first time that the usually politically correct Ong has spoken about
conversions. "Similarly, if a child was unilaterally converted to Islam by one
parent without the consent of the other parent, the child should be allowed to
maintain his or her original religion until he or she attains a majority age
where the child can decide on the religion of his or her choice," he said.

Some MPs tried to interject but Ong made clear that he would not give up the
floor. Religious issues and the fear that non-Muslims were increasingly being
subjected to Syariah laws has been a thorny issue among Hindus, Christians and
Buddhists.

The inability of the Abdullah administration to resolve this issue to the
satisfaction of the non-Muslim community was one of the reasons why many
religious groups urged their congregations to support the Opposition in Election
2008.

MCA, Gerakan and the MIC bore the brunt of the anger from the non-Muslim
community. To regain the support of Indians and Chinese, the MCA believes that
it must now speak candidly on issues affecting all communities and not just on
Chinese education.

Ong said in a situation where one parent embraces Islam, the religion of a minor
must be decided by both parents.

"Should a dispute on the child's faith arise, the religion must remain as status
quo until the child reaches the majority age of 18 years old, upon which the
child will decide," he said.

He noted that in the last three years, the country had witnessed "unprecedented"
number of cases involving constitutional rights of non-Muslims.

"Non-Muslims are not to be subjected to any form of Syariah laws. For disputes
or overlapping areas involving the jurisdiction of civil and Syariah courts, the
civil laws must prevail," he said.

Ong also surprised many in the House when he urged the government to set up the
Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Last year, the government opted for a watered down version of the IPCMC -
Special Complaints Commission, (SCC). After much objection, the government
withdrew the Bill and said that it would reconsider the idea of the IPCMC.

"The rakyat expects the police to be effective in arresting snatch thieves,
rapists, robbers and other criminals. Meanwhile, corruption is rampant among law
enforcers," he said.

On the judiciary, he urged the soon-to-be-set up judicial commission be allowed
to select magistrates and session courts judges. Currently, magistrates and
session courts judges are appointed by the judicial and legal services
commission.

"We cannot help but notice that the composition of our judiciary does not
reflect the multi-racial aspect of our society. I am not suggesting that a
racial quota be applied to judicial appointments as it must be based on merit,
capability, intelligence, independence and integrity.

"But at the same time, we must correct any perception that our judges will not
be able to adjudicate fairly and impartially on sensitive issues, particularly
relating to religion if a person's faith becomes an issue before a panel of
judges whose religious faith and belief may differ from him or her," he said.

He also proposed that for serious criminal cases, the trial by jury system be
brought back.

On corruption, he suggested that all government departments and agencies must
process approvals within certain deadlines.

Ong the ordinary backbencher is certainly sounding more substantial and frank
than Ong the Cabinet minister.




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