I Never Converted Sabahan Lodges Report Over Incorrect Muslim Registration

---

A Sabahan Christian woman filed a police report on Sunday after discovering she was registered as Muslim without consent, raising concerns of a possible "conversion syndicate", the Daily Express reported.
ADSMarni Pengeran, 38, claimed she never applied to convert to Islam and was unaware that her name had been registered as a Muslim in the religious authority’s database since 2009.
“I never signed any form or gave consent, nor have I recited the syahadah. I only discovered this when my husband checked a list of Muslim converts in our district prepared by a local religious officer.
“The year I was allegedly converted, I was working in Nabawan, and they used a picture of me wearing a tudung. I had no interaction with any religious authority,” the 38-year-old reportedly said.
According to the Daily Express, the issue emerged early this year when Marni's name appeared on a list for a Muslim converts’ programme in Nabawan.
Though her identity documents show she is Christian, the Sabah Islamic Department records contradict this.
The mother of four children aged between six and 13 lamented that the situation caused significant distress for her family.
“My children are Christian. This false record threatens the unity and future of my family,” she said.
‘Someone else’s thumbprint used’
Her lawyer, Sazalye Donol Abdullah, said that the alleged conversion lacked legal validity.
“A genuine conversion requires a clear and voluntary declaration, including a sworn statement. None of this was done.
“Even the thumbprint in the official documents does not match Marni’s. Police should investigate the individuals named in the documents, including a religious officer and two witnesses.
“We suspect this could be part of a wider syndicate falsifying conversion records in remote regions,” Sazalye added.
ADSHe said that the case is proceeding as both a criminal investigation into potential document forgery and a civil matter requiring Marni to resolve her religious status through the Syariah Court.
“For now, her MyKad still shows her as a Christian, but records within religious departments say otherwise, which may affect her legal standing in the future,” the lawyer said.
Lawyer Sazalye Donol AbdullahMarni’s family also discovered that her deceased aunt, who was buried according to Christian rites, was listed as a Muslim in government records.
Marni's brother-in-law Raymond Ahuar said this raises concerns about posthumous misrepresentation and administrative malpractice.
Conversion mystery deepens
There appeared to be political links to the alleged conversion.
It was reported that Sangkar Rasam @ Sharudin is recorded as the second witness to Marni's alleged conversion.
Sangkar is the husband of Rufinah Pangeran, who reportedly ousted Raymond as Pensiangan PKR branch chief in April.
Sazalye, meanwhile, is the former Kota Marudu branch chief and current Sabah PKR secretary, whilst Sangkar serves as a state leadership council member and Raymond as vice-chairperson.
Nevertheless, Raymond emphasised that the matter should not be politicised.
"We must uphold justice, even if it involves family members or political figures. This is a matter of human rights and faith," he stated. - Mkini

---