I applaud the statement of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim that the custody dispute is back at the courts and the inspector-general of police has nothing to do with it.
Clearly, she also disagrees with inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar’s idea of placing children snared in custody dispute caused by religious conversions in childcare centres.
However, Rohani is very wrong to echo Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s statement that all parties should respect whatever decision the Federal Court arrives at.
We already have decisions by court. A court decision, despite their hierarchy, is final and binding until and unless it is set aside by another court of higher ranking. It is the duty of our police, as court officer, to execute the orders unless an order of stay of execution is obtained and granted.
In the current cases, the decisions of Ipoh High Court and the Court of Appeal are not being challenged by the parents in court. There is also no order of stay of execution. So, our IGP is duty-bound to assist the court to execute the orders. Failure to do so will be contempt of court and grief dereliction of duty.
In any event, Muslim convert N Viran @ Izwan Abdullah has not filed an appeal to the Federal Court. Therefore it is terribly wrong for Rohani to say that the children shall remain with their respective parent until the Federal Court decides. If the matter is not even brought before the Federal Court, how can the Federal Court decide and deliver decision?
The statements of Datuk Seri Najib and Rohani show the lack of understanding in the judiciary system of our ministers. It is also a huge blow to the dignity of our judiciary. People of Malaysia has lost faith in the independence of our judiciary system since the 1988 judicial crisis. Najib and Rohani need to retract and apologize for their statements and action needs to be taken against the IGP to restore the public confidence in our judiciary system.