#Update* Exco apologises to Cheng Cheng's family over 'insentitive' JAIPP actionLast Updated: 6:06pm, Jun 11, 2014
GEORGE TOWN (June 11): Penang's state executive councillor for Islamic Affairs, Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, today apologises for the "insensitive" manner in which the state Islamic authorities took away the body of alleged Muslim convert Teoh Cheng Cheng recently.
"As the executive councillor and on behalf of the Penang Islamic Affairs Department, I apologise to the family of the deceased, on the incident that occurred on June 9," he said after having offered condolences to the family following a state executive council meeting today.
He admitted the action of the JAIPP officer who led the operation lacked sensitivity towards the cultural practice, religion and feelings of Teoh's 64-year-old mother Tan Mah Suan and the rest of the family in their moment of grief.
Teoh, 38, had died in her apartment at the McCallum Street Ghaut area on June 7.
He said the officer should have taken into account the family's feelings and gotten the views of relevant parties suchg as the department's director, its enforcement division, the state Mufti and the district religious officer before taking action.
"This is the considerate practice observed by JAIPP while handling such cases before this," he said, reading from a prepared statement.
Malik also expressed regret that as the executive councillor, he only found out about the incident from reporters about 5pm, after it had occurred earlier in the afternoon. Malik was then in a meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
"Even more regretful is that the relevant JAIPP officers whom I contacted did not know about the case clearly," he added.
"I promise and will ensure that such an incident does not happen again."
He added that the officer when queried about the matter said he was pressured by time and the police had insisted that he act on the matter immediately.
The department had received a call from an unidentified person about Teoh's supposed Muslim status at about 12.30pm.
"Pressure of time is not an excuse for not consulting his peers, seniors and for not consulting me," Malik said when asked to elaborate the matter.
He explained that the officer in charge of conversions had then looked up Teoh's name and found the document relating to her conversion. This document was later shown to her family, in the presence of the police, who then allowed her body to be taken away, thereby stopping the funeral.
Malik said in previous cases, the department had always exercise tact, sensitivity and professionalism when dealing with the family to reach an acceptable conclusion.
"The officer explained to me and apologised... But his good intention was spoiled by his action," Malik said, adding that the state is ready to extend compassionate aid to the family.
The state executive council had earlier in its meeting expressed sadness and disappointment over the way the matter was handled.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was present, said it has embarrassed the state government and brought negative impact on a multi-racial society in which people have mutual respect for each other.
He added that the family has the right to seek compensation according to the law.
"We must respect the decision of the court," he said.
Meanwhile, Teoh's family is expected to arrive at the Penang High Court later this afternoon to file for a legal case against JAIPP.
more to come
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