The Penang Religious Affairs Department (JAIPP) today apologised for the actions of its officers, whom stopped a Buddhist funeral ceremony on June 9, claiming that the deceased had converted to Islam.
The apology was made by the Islamic Affairs Executive Council, Dato 'Abdul Malik Kassim who represented JAIPP.
Abdul Malik also expressed his condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased, Teoh Cheng Cheng, her Muslim name (Nora Teoh), who died on June 7.
According to him, JAIPP officers’ action did not get the opinion of JAIPP Director, Enforcement Division JAIPP, Mufti Department and District Religious Officer before further actions were taken, which is often practiced by JAIPP when dealing with such cases.
"This action of the JAIPP officer is considered insensitive concerning customs, religion and feelings of the deceased mother Suan Tan Mah Aged 64 years and her family when they are facing a devastating moment.
As the executive council of Religious Affairs, I also regret that this incident only came to my knowledge after I was contacted by a reporter on June 9, 5 pm," he said in a statement.
Abdul Malik said, when he was informed about the matter, he was with The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) in Kuala Lumpur and was attending a meeting in JAKIM.
"What is more regrettable, the JAIPP officials whom I called said that they were not aware of the matter" said Abdul Malik.
However, Abdul Malik and the exco and state governments respect the family’s decision to refer the issue to the court in deciding the Islamic status of the deceased.
The deceased, known as Teoh Cheng Cheng, 38, was charged with converting to Islam about 17 years ago. Her Muslim name is registered as Nora Teoh Abdullah.
The JAIPP officer’s action to come during the religious rites before burial left the family members and relatives of the deceased stunned. They did not know that the deceased had converted to Islam.
According to a report by The Malaysian Insider, the mother of the deceased, Tan Suan Ma questioned if her daughter became Muslim, why JAIPP took too long to respond. Teoh reportedly died after falling from an apartment on Saturday.
The apology was made by the Islamic Affairs Executive Council, Dato 'Abdul Malik Kassim who represented JAIPP.
Abdul Malik also expressed his condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased, Teoh Cheng Cheng, her Muslim name (Nora Teoh), who died on June 7.
According to him, JAIPP officers’ action did not get the opinion of JAIPP Director, Enforcement Division JAIPP, Mufti Department and District Religious Officer before further actions were taken, which is often practiced by JAIPP when dealing with such cases.
"This action of the JAIPP officer is considered insensitive concerning customs, religion and feelings of the deceased mother Suan Tan Mah Aged 64 years and her family when they are facing a devastating moment.
As the executive council of Religious Affairs, I also regret that this incident only came to my knowledge after I was contacted by a reporter on June 9, 5 pm," he said in a statement.
Abdul Malik said, when he was informed about the matter, he was with The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) in Kuala Lumpur and was attending a meeting in JAKIM.
"What is more regrettable, the JAIPP officials whom I called said that they were not aware of the matter" said Abdul Malik.
However, Abdul Malik and the exco and state governments respect the family’s decision to refer the issue to the court in deciding the Islamic status of the deceased.
The deceased, known as Teoh Cheng Cheng, 38, was charged with converting to Islam about 17 years ago. Her Muslim name is registered as Nora Teoh Abdullah.
The JAIPP officer’s action to come during the religious rites before burial left the family members and relatives of the deceased stunned. They did not know that the deceased had converted to Islam.
According to a report by The Malaysian Insider, the mother of the deceased, Tan Suan Ma questioned if her daughter became Muslim, why JAIPP took too long to respond. Teoh reportedly died after falling from an apartment on Saturday.
