SUBANG: Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said it was not proper for Bar Council to hold the forum on "Conversion to Islam" issues openly.

He added it was not proper to hold this forum in Malaysia because it was a sensitive issue.

"If people want to discuss about this issue, it is better to talk about it behind closed doors, but not openly," Najib told reporters after launching the Vista Jet and Skypark Malaysia's Fixed Based Operation (FBO) at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, here Thursday (7 Aug).

When asked whether government would instruct Bar Council to call off the forum, Najib did not want to comment.

"I do not know the coming development. As far as I know, Bar Council has its own views," he continued.

The public forum is expected to touch, among other things, on a provision in the Federal Constitution which stipulates that the courts have no jurisdiction on matters which are within the Syariah Courts jurisdiction.

The forum is also expected to discuss on several conversion cases in the country.

Najib insisted that government did not prevent anyone from holding forums because issue discussion was a good phenomenon. However, it was better to discuss sensitive issues behind closed door. (Sin Chew Daily)