JPN mistakenly recorded Christian family as Muslims, rules court | FMT
The Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the national registration department (JPN) mistakenly registered a Christian family as Muslims.
The court found that JPN's errors prevented Abdul Manap Bakusai and his three children from exercising their constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Justice Celestina Stuel Galid noted that there was no renunciation of Islam involved, as the registration was an error by JPN.
Evidence presented included other identity documents, baptism records, and letters from churches, confirming the family's Christian practice.
The judge expressed concern over JPN's recurring administrative problems in assigning religion without factual or legal proof.
Similar errors have occurred in previous cases where religions were assigned based on assumptions.
The judge highlighted concerns for illiterate applicants from rural areas who rely on JPN officers' assistance.
The court granted the family's application to correct their MyKad to state they are not Muslims.
No costs were ordered in the case.
The ruling underscores the importance of accurate record-keeping and the protection of fundamental religious freedom rights.
References
https://kagi.com/summarizer?target_language=EN&summary=takeaway&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freemalaysiatoday.com%2Fcategory%2Fnation%2F2026%2F01%2F08%2Fjpn-mistakenly-recorded-christian-family-as-muslims-rules-court#JPN%20mistakenly%20recorded%20Christian%20family%20as%20Muslims,%20rules%20courthttps://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/08/jpn-mistakenly-recorded-christian-family-as-muslims-rules-court