Church wants conversions annulled

PITAS: Christian leaders say that the Sabah religious authorities have been asked to “annul without further delay” the conversions of a group of Orang Asal who were tricked into converting to Islam in this state.

“No action has been taken on the matter,” said the president of the Protestant Church of Sabah, Reverend Jensey Mojuin, in his speech at the Mamangkis ceremony of the Indigenous People in Pitas August 14.

Pitas, one of the “dog ears” in the map of Sabah, is reportedly the poorest province in the Federation.

“Three months have passed since the “shameful” conversion of 64 people, including children, from three villages – Kampung Maliau Layung, Dowokon and Sosop.

“Although a police report has been made, no concrete action has been taken,” said Mojuin.

He said the lack of action only means that “extremist groups” that did the conversion “enjoy the support and protection of some powerful people.”

He added that the group was reportedly an Islamic NGO (non-governmental organisation) based in Selangor well known for its religious extremism.

Mojuin described the mass conversions in Pitas, as a fraudulent and unfair act that threatens the peace and religious harmony in Sabah that has existed for so long. The majority of those converted belonged to his congregation.

33 villagers who “converted” claim that they had been tricked into converting by this group.

They were asked to present themselves at the Pitas mosque on New Year’s Day, supposedly to receive financial aid.

Evidence that they agreed to become Muslims

They claim that they were promised RM800 per person, but there was only RM100 in the envelopes they were given after they signed several documents.

They said that they were illiterate, and that no one explained to them the purpose of the forms.

Mojuin added, that these forms are now being used as evidence that they have agreed to become Muslims.

Mamangkis, which is the war cry of the indigenous people, has now become the clarion call for the revival of the Christian religion and religious liberty. -FMT