Malaysian Hindu-Chinese mum reunites with 3 kids as debate rages over unilateral conversions to Islam
- Loh Siew Hong’s ex-husband changed their three kids’ religion and as a non-Muslim, she could not gain custody of Muslim children under Islamic law
- Abusive men have exploited the dual nature of Malaysia’s justice system to separate mothers from their children
Malaysians on social media are cheering a court’s decision on Monday to allow a single mother of Hindu faith to take custody of her three children who had previously been converted to Islam without her consent or knowledge.
The case involving Loh Siew Hong has grabbed national attention as it involves a long running controversy in the Muslim-majority country surrounding so-called “child snatching” – where men convert their children to Islam as part of a strategy to take custody of them in an Islamic court upon divorce or separation.
Rights activists say authorities’ languid approach to dealing with this problem – for fear of upsetting conservative Muslims – impugns the rights of minority groups.
The Federal Court, Malaysia’s apex judicial body, had in 2018 ruled that it was unconstitutional for just one parent to convert a minor to their religion.
Loh’s case has attracted added scrutiny because of her tumultuous backstory.
Her ex-husband, Nagahswaran Muniandy, had in 2019 unilaterally converted the three children while Loh was recuperating in a shelter from serious injuries he had inflicted on her in a vicious attack.
The man is currently in prison following a drug-related conviction.