The animosity created over the body of the late Rayappan Anthony is not over as his widow now plans to file a civil suit against the state religious bodies.

Lourdes Mary Maria Soosay, 65, told the press at Wisma Denmark today that the family was disappointed that it took nine days to settle the body and wants justice to be done.

Her counsel, A Sivanesan said that she will be suing Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) and the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) for general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

"She will be suing for trauma and distress suffered by the family for nine days. It is unfair that Mais and Jais to have done so knowing he is a Christian," he said.

The suit is expected to be filed by the end of this week.

Earlier today, Sivanesan met with judge Kang Hwee Gee in chambers to withdraw the suit against Kuala Lumpur Hospital director-general and the government which sought to declare Rayappan as a Christian and that his body should be released to the family.

Rayappan's body has since then been released and was cremated last Friday at the Cheras crematorium.

"Since the body is no longer with us, it is now considered academic. We need to determine the rights of individuals who are faced with similar problems," he said.

Sivanesan explained that the state now needs to clarify which court should be the primary jurisdiction governing Muslim converts under Article 121 (1)(a) of the constitution.

"How do we deal with Muslim converts who later divorce their Muslim spouses? How do we deal with third parties such as Rayappan's family?

"It is because of this grey area in law that has caused tremendous stress to the family for unwarranted reasons," he said.

Uncooperative and secretive

Sivanesan then lashed out at Mais and Jais for being uncooperative when dealing with this matter.

He pointed out that not a single document was provided by them to prove Rayappan was a Muslim and the only time they contacted the family was when they wanted them to appear in the Syariah Court.

"Why are they so secretive? If they are so adamant he's Muslim then they should tender all documents available. Clearly the evidence that Rayappan was a Christian was more overwhelming," he said.

He also noted that Mais has failed to inform the hospital to release the body whereby cabinet ministers were called to help secure the released of Rayappan's body.

"We contacted (Works Minister) S Samy Vellu who then called (Health Minister) Chua Soi Lek for help. It was only then the body was released to us at 6.40pm last Thursday," Sivanesan said.

Mais on Thursday had filed a notice of discontinuance at the Syariah Court that it was dropping its claim to the body of the former Muslim convert but failed to inform the hospital authorities.

Van driver Rayappan, 71, who converted to Islam in 1990 after marrying a Muslim second wife, returned to his original Catholic faith and his Christian family in 1999.

He subsequently changed his name and renounced Islam by signing a deed poll with the National Registration Department on May 10, 1999.

However, his death on Nov 29 created a controversy after Jais prevented the family from claiming the body on the grounds that Rayappan was still a Muslim.