Muslim convert's family to file case in court today

The family of Teoh Cheng Cheng or Nora Teoh Abdullah, the late Muslim convert whose body was claimed by the Penang Islamic Religious Department (JAIPP) while her family was giving her a Buddhist burial, will file their case at the Penang High Court today.

Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee said he had arranged a meeting between Teoh's mother, Tan Mah Suan, with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Tuesday.

"The chief minister together with several Exco members have met Madam Tan and have agreed to offer legal assistance over the matter.

"The legal team comprising Gobind Singh Deo, Ramkarpal Singh and Raveen Tharan are preparing legal documents to be filed in Penang High Court tomorrow (Wednesday)," said Lau in a statement.

He said Tan insisted that her daughter was a Buddhist all these years and not a Muslim. Tan had brought along supporting documents including Teoh's identity card and birth certificate of the children, and sought the state government's assistance over the matter.

On Sunday afternoon, JAIPP had cut short a Buddhist funeral ceremony that was taking place at Lebih Macallum and claimed the body which they said to be a Muslim convert's.

The authorities had claimed that Teoh, 38, had converted to Islam 17 years ago and registered her Muslim name as Nora Teoh Abdullah.

Teoh's family were stunned upon seeing the arrival of the authorities as they were unaware that the deceased had converted. They, however, allowed the body to be taken away but promised that they would bring the matter to court.