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PENANG - A NEW dispute over Islamic conversion has erupted in Malaysia, with the family of an Indian man who committed suicide battling the Islamic authorities over the rights to the body.

The religious authorities said that Mr Elangesvaran Benedict, who died on Sunday, was a Muslim convert and should be buried according to Islamic rites.

However, his brother Selvam said the Hindu family had no knowledge of the conversion.

His body is being held at a hospital while the dispute is being resolved.

The case is the latest in a series of allegations of 'body-snatching' by the Islamic authorities, who have seized remains against the objections of non-Muslim family members.

Malaysia's government has proposed new rules on converting to Islam in a bid to prevent the wrangles which have split families and incited racial tensions in this multicultural country.

The latest case bears similarities to several other disputes since 2005.

A national debate erupted when Mr Maniam Moorthy, a former Hindu, was buried as a Muslim in December 2005 after an Islamic court ruled that he had converted before his death.

Mr Moorthy had not told his family about the conversion, and his widow later failed to convince the civil court to give her custody of her husband's body.

In the latest case, Mr Selvam has asked the Penang High Court to resolve the dispute over the conversion, which the authorities said took place in Penang.

'As far as the family is concerned, Elangesvaran has never informed us of any intention to convert,' he told reporters yesterday.

'We are hoping to get this matter resolved as quickly as possible so that we can reclaim my brother's body and bury him according to Hindu rites.'

Mr Selvam said that after a report of his brother's death was lodged with the police, the family was informed they could not claim the body as he was a convert.

He said the family was only given a scribbled note allegedly written by Mr Elangesvaran about his conversion, but it did not bear any signature or thumbprint of the dead man or that of any witnesses.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Comments (13)

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written by rajaphillips, June 26, 2008 08:21:34

Dear DAP, please be careful about this type of an issue, it cuts both ways and BN could use it against you guys very effectively like how they (BN) used the DYMM Sultan Perak's issue(and mkany more) against Karpal. Be cautious!

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written by Kcc, June 26, 2008 08:25:25

Oh boy...here goes another religious issue. Isn't it a rule for Muslim-converts to possess a card that identifies them as Muslims? I've seen this card before long ago.

DAP, be careful in handling this matter. We don't want BN to take advantage of this.

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written by rajaphillips, June 26, 2008 08:32:37

YB Karpal should NOT comment on this one. Please DO NOT provide fodder for Umno. This type of an issue could become a platform for an Umno comeback

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written by Rajen Bumiputra, June 26, 2008 08:47:45

UMNO ANAK TALIBAN, are you still lining on tree. Build house on tree in JUNGLE.
Islamic Religious Department why disturb ANAK HINDU again.

Islamic terrorist of Perak refer to these statement by Sultan of Perak:

"The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, today reminded the people not to test or challenge religious issues to the extent of creating uneasiness among society." BERNAMA Tuesday 24 Jun 2008

The latest case, Elangeswaran anak Hindu (Parit Buntar, Perak) dead body is claimed by Anak-Anak pengganas (sons of Terrorist/ Taliban) from Jabatan Agama Islam Perak. refer to Malaysiaindru.com (Tamil version of Malaysiakini)

How to build unity among race & religion in Malaysis. When Government servant busy disturbing Hindus and others.

Taliban of Perak dont tarnish name of Islam and Sultan Azlan Shah as head of Perak Islam Religion.
Did Sultan ask you to take away or hold mayat Anak Hindu (Hindu dead Body). Dont you have any other work.
What is the difference between AlMaunah, JI, KMM and you. Go to Afghanistan, you anak terrorist of jabatan Agama Islam Perak. Ustaz Fairuz anak terrorist go to Hell.

Dont try to play with Sultan (Perak king). Sultan is for everybody. Sultan is protector for/of all race and religion of rakyat perak (all Perakian).

Rajen Bumiputra
Rakyat Sultan Azlan Shah
Hidup Melayu, Cina, India, Iban, Kadazan, Orang Asli
Hidup Islam, Kristian, Hindu, Budha

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written by FFT, June 26, 2008 08:49:03

That's Islam for you right there.

To steal a dead body from family members, all that is needed is a scribbled note with no thumbprint or signature.

But to convict a rape, you need as witnesses 4 upstanding Muslims males....how they can be upstanding by standing around witnessing the rape is a different matter altogether.

Yet another reason why the world needs to unite in the War Against Terror.

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written by Tom n Jerry, June 26, 2008 09:11:22

Claims over dead bodies !Its very amusing!Malaysia only nation inthe world doing this!Try to claim the soul as well!Go to buddhist heaven(1to 33)christian heaven(1 only)and syurga!The dead body is only earth,fire,water,wind element!All these separate and go their individual ways upon death!Nothing more,nothing less!Taoist way best!You can *CHew Sai Boo*resurrect the soul to speak up!He or she may want to go to the heaven of their choice!

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written by FFT, June 26, 2008 09:18:41

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written by YSL, June 26, 2008 09:22:46

Or what a P"K"k'K SAD STORY TO LEARN ERALY IN THE MORNING!
Are we in total mayhem? Corruption, murder, lie, womanizing in broad daylight, Bodogwi blackmail Najis, Mrs Shit is murderer, Kurang Jantan threatened Shit.

TUN P"K"M"K Mamak covered up the murder case and pushed Shit to become PM!

Mampus dan hancurlah Malaysia if we are to hear to hear this everyday!

God, please help us and safe us from this saitans and pontianaks!

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written by temenggong, June 26, 2008 10:49:34

There are hundreds of such cases waiting to be filed to my knowledge, and Pakatan may be saddled with it unless they deal with it quickly and effectively. Pakatan should close down the rehabilitation centers and send all such cases to the High Court.

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written by mgeo, June 26, 2008 19:52:56

FFT,
Is that for real or is it a Photoshop joke?

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written by sarawakian, June 26, 2008 21:10:23

another highly publicised story over a dead body. why all the squabble over a corpse? why is no one fighting over who will bury dead dogs and cats as well?

when a person has died, the soul and spirit is gone. what remains is exactly that.. remains. why fight over it? it would be much more effective if religious bodies spent their energies working on promoting the good of a religion instead of showing all the bad sides.

wouldn't it have been better if everyone fought over how to make his life better BEFORE he committed suicide?

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written by cllim123, June 26, 2008 22:57:20

Ask not why the authorities are so concerned about the deceased. Ask what the deceased estate owns; who the beneficiaries are if he is not a convert and if he is so. Then some sinister motive may appear?

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