Woman seeks court order to quash JPN request on religious status

KUALA LUMPUR: A woman who converted out of Islam 33 years ago and later married a Hindu man is seeking a judicial review after the national registration department (JPN) required her to obtain a letter from the shariah court confirming her religious status.

The 58-year-old mother of three adult children filed her application in February, arguing that JPN’s requirement was irrational and amounted to a failure to follow proper procedure.

The woman, from an East Coast state, is seeking a declaration that the requirement, contained in JPN’s letter dated Dec 3, 2025, is invalid and void.

She wants a certiorari order to quash the decision, and a mandamus order compelling the department to issue her with a new identity card.

In an affidavit supporting her application, the woman said she was born a Muslim, but converted out of Islam through a deed poll in June 1993.

She subsequently married a Hindu man under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976, and all three of their children were raised as Hindus.

She said she was issued with an identity card in 1995 and applied for a replacement in 2006.

However, the following year, JPN informed her that there were issues with her application, and requested that she produce her original birth certificate, identity card, and documents relating to the amendment of her name and religion.

On Dec 3 last year, JPN requested that she produce a confirmation letter from the shariah court on her religious status.

The woman said she had been advised by her lawyers, who believed that JPN’s conduct was irrational and amounted to a failure to follow proper procedure, especially since the department had previously issued her an identity card reflecting her status.

She also pointed out that the authorities had no objection when she married her Hindu husband.

Senior federal counsel B Kashmeera informed the court that the attorney-general intends to oppose the woman’s bid for the review to be heard on its merits.

Justice Azizan Arshad directed parties to file written submissions and fixed Aug 4 for the hearing.

Lawyer T Gunaseelan appeared for the woman.