Zahid is irresponsible, says MIC youth chief

MIC Youth chief C Sivaraajh has criticised Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's statement that the police would not take any action against a Muslim convert father who snatched his six-year-old son from his Hindu ex-wife in Negri Sembilan last week.

He said he was "taken aback by the home minister's irresponsible statement in relation to S Deepa's case".

"A minister who is guarding home affairs should not be issuing such a lame statement and wash his hands off the matter," Sivaraajh said in a statement today, referring to Zahid's short remarks that he agreed with the police's stand not to take action against convert Izwan Abdullah, who allegedly snatched away his son from his ex-wife Deepa last Wednesday.

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar said previously that Izwan and Deepa (right in photo) should settle the matter among themselves, referring to the Syariah Court's order granting custody of the couple’s two children to Izwan, and the civil court’s decision last week to grant custody to Deepa.

"If both individuals, the home minister and the IGP, fail to respond on this matter, we sincerely urge attorney-general (AG) Gani Patail to put his hand to resolving the matter," Sivaraajh said.

"The AG should come up with a complete set of legislation that will once and for all settle issues triggered when one spouse embraces another religion," he added.

He said that the police and the Home Ministry should adhere to the ruling made by the civil High Court in Seremban last Monday.

"In upholding the federal constitution, the police should exercise its duty towards the public, hence it should take a stronger role in getting back Deepa's son from her former husband.

"The police and Home Ministry must abide by the verdict delivered by the High Court and help Deepa to get back her son," he added  - Msiakini News

• Surely police can act on assault, kidnapping