Malaysia Considering Required Disclosure of Planned Conversion To Islam

In Malaysia, The Star yesterday reported that the Prime Minister's office is considering proposing legislation to require non-Muslims who plan to convert to Islam to inform their families. Since conversion subjects the individual to the jurisdiction of Sharia courts rather than civil courts in the country, there is a need to settle issues of maintenance, custody and division of assets, as well as deciding the religion in which children will be raised, before converting. This will also resolve problems over custody of the convert's body when he dies. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz said that conversion to Islam should not be used to escape civil law responsibilities.