Memo To PM: Why wasn’t PPP consulted?
Sumitha Martin
Jan 22, 2006
Malay Mail

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Dr M. Kayveas has taken offence that nine ministers who submitted a memorandum calling for a review of laws affecting non-Muslims, failed to consult the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on the matter.

The PPP president said the memorandum was submitted under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner and yet, the party which he said was among the top five of BN’s 13 component parties, was not consulted.

“I would have advised against it, if I were consulted on the matter,” said Kayveas.

He also disagreed that the memorandum was submitted to convey the views of non-Muslims since the PPP which represents 10 per cent of non-Muslims and has a 400,000-membership, was not consulted.

Asked if he agreed that Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution should be reviewed to safeguard the interests of non-Muslims, he said: “It’s up to the Cabinet. Pak Lah’s views are our views”.

He also said that the nine ministers who submitted the memorandum should resign, adding that it was totally irregular and contrary to the collective responsibility of, and conventions relating to the Cabinet.

“How can I send a memorandum to my own boss?,” he asked, adding that as a lawyer and politician, he could not comprehend their action.

The memorandum was prompted by concerns voiced by inter-faith groups over the dispute between the widow of Everest climber M. Moorthy @ Mohammad Abdullah and the Federal Territory Religious Council over the question of whether her husband had converted to Islam.

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Sunday/National/20060122114602/Article/index_html