CFM PRESS STATEMENTS

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) wishes to thank the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, along with all other parties involved in the resolution of Rayappan Anthony’s case.

We are glad that good sense has prevailed and the family of the deceased does not have to suffer psychological trauma any longer. They can now proceed to say their final farewell to their loved one according to Christian rites.

The CFM wishes the family its deepest sympathies and condolences in their period of grief.

We sincerely hope that as a result of this incident, the government will do everything possible to find a transparent mechanism to resolve such issues through dialogue and to protect the rights of citizens to profess or revert to their religion without intimidation from outside parties.

Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ
Chairman and Executive Committee
Christian Federation of Malaysia

Dated 8 December 2006

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is appalled at yet another tussle over the body of a deceased person whose religious status has again come under dispute.

This incident has been reported in the Press on 1st December 2006 (NST pg 7, The Star. pg 30, and The Sun pg. 4).

According to the information gathered, the deceased, Rayappan Anthony (71) was a Roman Catholic and had six children from his Christian marriage. He converted to Islam in 1990 when he married a Muslim woman.

In 1999 he reconverted to Christianity, and subsequently confirmed his profession of his Christian faith by way of a statutory declaration in front of a Commissioner for Oaths.

The relevant documents prepared by a lawyer and executed by the Commissioner for Oaths, were submitted to the National Registration Department, which accepted the declaration and reinstated Rayappan’s religious status to Christianity.

The MYKAD of the deceased (issued 1999) states that he is a Christian.

The CFM empathizes with the family of the deceased. The family should be allowed to bury their loved one according to their Christian faith and his professed faith. Any obstruction in this regard, would directly contravene Article 11 of our Constitution which guarantees the right of a person to profess and practice his faith, and in this particular case, the right of the family to bury Rayappan Anthony according to his professed religion at the point of his death.

In the light of the above, CFM strongly urges;

1. all parties involved in this matter to respect the professed faith of the deceased;
2. that the family in grief may be allowed their right of choice and the peace of mind to accord their loved one with a proper Christian burial; 
3. that the family be not subjected to undue duress and provocation in their time of grief; and
4. that the Government urgently enact laws that protect and ensure the rights of non-Muslims to get proper access to justice, especially those who wish to revert to their original religion after leaving Islam. 

Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ
Chairman and Executive Committee
Christian Federation of Malaysia