ON Aug 16, Sabah’s High Court ruled in favour of Rieno Glant Oleant George, who sought to correct his religious status on his identity card. 

Registered as a Muslim by mistake, Rieno, who was raised as a Christian, challenged the Sabah National Registration Department (NRD). The court found that requiring a Shariah Court order for such a correction was unconstitutional.  

The ruling allows Rieno to amend his identity card without needing a Shariah Court order, setting a precedent for similar cases. The decision emphasises the civil court’s jurisdiction over religious status issues and protects fundamental liberties under the Federal Constitution.

On Aug 17, Kota Kinabalu High Court Judge Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin ruled that a letter from the state Islamic authority confirming a person is not a Muslim is sufficient for the National Registration Department (NRD) to remove “Islam” from their identity card.

The ruling came in the case of Rieno, who sought to correct his identity card after being mistakenly registered as a Muslim. 

The court found that Rieno did not need a Shariah Court order for this correction, as the matter falls under the Civil Court’s jurisdiction. The decision allows Rieno to amend his ID without further legal obstacles. - Aug 18, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/removing-islam-from-sabahans-mykad-could-resolve-status-issues-for-others/