Eight groups based in Negeri Sembilan are urging the government to restore Article 121 to its orginal form prior to amendment in 1998 by repealing sub-article (1A).

This was the consensus reached after an inter-faith forum held in Seremban on Thursday night, held to discuss the Kuala Lumpur high court refusal to reverse a syariah court decision on the religious status of Everest hero M Moorthy filed by his wife S Kaliammal.

The amendments on March 17 and 18, 1988 was proposed by then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who wanted to prevent civil courts from over-riding syariah decisions.

As it stands now, Article 121 (1A) denies civil courts any jurisdiction over matters falling within the purview of the Islamic or syariah judicial system.

The eight groups who endorsed the five resolutions at the forum includes the Negeri Sembilan branches from the following organisations: Chinese Assembly Hall, Malaysian Youth Movement, Xiang Hui Youth Association, United Youth Movement, Buddhist Youth Association, Vivekananda Youth Movement and the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

Protect freedom of religion

The 200 who attended the forum also unanimously called for the government to amend the Courts of Judicature Act and all Federal and State Syariah Enactments in order for disputes surrounding conversions to be resolved in civil courts.

Another resolution passed was for the enactment of a Freedom of Religion and Inter-race Act which oversees the protection of the rights of adherents from all religions.

Hindraf persident P Waytha Moorthy said that the resolutions is a reflection of non-Muslims sentiments.

"It sent the message to the country's political masters to buck up on taking the necessary steps to rectify the unjust done," he said adding that similar forums will be held nationwide.