The High Court struck down a Muslim preacher after posting a video that showed how to convert kids to Islam secretly. Justice Amarjeet Singh ruled that Firdaus Wong's video violated the law and the constitution. The judge ordered Wong to delete the video from all websites and social media permanently. Wong is also prohibited from posting similar videos or making public statements about secret conversions again. The court required him to pay RM10,000 to eight angry parents who sued him.
The controversial video from June 2023 showed Wong explaining to a man how to handle requests from underage children wanting to convert without their parents knowing. The video spread rapidly on social media, leading to multiple police complaints against the preacher. Police launched an investigation under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code for inciting public disorder. The parents filed their lawsuit on July 18, 2023, alleging that Wong had violated their constitutional rights. Their lawyer, M. Visvanathan, argued that the video violated Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution, which grants parents the right to decide their children's religion.
Wong's lawyer, Norazali Nordin, told the court he would ask his client whether to appeal the decision. This case highlights ongoing tensions around religious conversion and parental rights in Malaysia. The parents achieved a significant victory against what they saw as efforts to undermine their authority over their children's religious decisions.
The controversial video from June 2023 showed Wong explaining to a man how to handle requests from underage children wanting to convert without their parents knowing. The video spread rapidly on social media, leading to multiple police complaints against the preacher. Police launched an investigation under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code for inciting public disorder. The parents filed their lawsuit on July 18, 2023, alleging that Wong had violated their constitutional rights. Their lawyer, M. Visvanathan, argued that the video violated Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution, which grants parents the right to decide their children's religion.
Wong's lawyer, Norazali Nordin, told the court he would ask his client whether to appeal the decision. This case highlights ongoing tensions around religious conversion and parental rights in Malaysia. The parents achieved a significant victory against what they saw as efforts to undermine their authority over their children's religious decisions.
