Monday, February 05, 2007
Ethnic Chinese-Malaysian swapped at birth, seeks to renounce Islam (4 p.m.)
KUALA LUMPUR -- An ethnic Chinese Malaysian who was mistakenly handed to a Malay Muslim couple at birth in a hospital mix-up said Monday he is seeking to renounce Islam and acquire a Chinese name.
Predominantly Muslim Malaysia's constitution does not allow Muslims to renounce their religion, and doing so is considered apostasy - punishable by jail in several states.
Zulhaidi Omar, 29, who now goes by the name Eddie to family and friends, claims he discovered his true identity by chance and met his biological parents in 1998 after years of being teased about his Chinese features.
"I want to get my life back in order now," Zulhaidi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from his home in the southern state of Johor.
Zulhaidi, a sales executive raised in an ethnic Malay Muslim family, said he was revealing his story only now because he wants to take a Chinese name and change his religion to Buddhism.
"It would be convenient ... so that I can be like the rest of my family," Zulhaidi said.
He declined to comment further, citing the sensitivity of religious issues in Malaysia, where officials put a strong priority on maintaining social harmony.
Malaysian media over the weekend reported Zulhaidi's claim that he was spotted working in a supermarket eight years ago by his biological sister, who noticed his intense resemblance to their father, Teo Ma Leong, 67.
A DNA test later confirmed the relationship, and Zulhaidi moved in with his parents three months later, The Star newspaper said.
Michael Tay, a politician with the Malaysian Chinese Association who is helping Zulhaidi, said he was negotiating with Johor state authorities to grant Zulhaidi's request.
"The academic question is whether he can return to his Chinese identity," Tay told the AP.
"I have told (Zulhaidi) it could be an uphill battle, but he still wants it," Tay said, adding that Zulhaidi claims he no longer follows Islamic practices like praying five times a day.
It is not clear how long a resolution might take, Tay said, noting the case could eventually be handed to the Islamic Shariah court, which presides over religious issues involving Muslims.
State religious officials could not be immediately reached for comment on the case.
The Malay boy that the Teo family brought home because of the mix-up was raised as Tian Fa, and is now married to a Chinese woman, according to The Star.
The Star said Tian Fa has no intention of looking for his biological family, and is happy to treat Teo and his wife, Lim Sai Hak, as his parents. (AP) |
