Palanivel welcomes withdrawal of conversion bill

MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has welcomed today's announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the withdrawal of the conversion bill.

In a statement to Bernama here, he said the Cabinet had made a deliberation and finally concluded that the bill should be withdrawn.

He said it was a fair move, taking into consideration everyone's sensitivities.

The Cabinet, which met today, agreed to retract the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013.

The Bill was tabled for first reading at the Dewan Rakyat on June 26, by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

Muhyiddin said the issue on the status of a child's name, in cases where the mother or father of the child converted to Islam, had been discussed at length by the Cabinet, taking into consideration the views and concerns of various quarters, including Barisan Nasional component parties.