From: thos@suite.sw.oz.au (Thomas Cohen)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.australian,soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: **** Australian citizens kidnapped by Malaysian Prince ****
Date: 23 Jul 92 06:51:24 GMT
Organization: Softway Pty Ltd

In <1992Jul22.045043.14744@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg> eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg (Othman Ahmad) writes:

>In article <2774@ariel.its.unimelb.EDU.AU> stong@ariel.its.unimelb.EDU.AU (Simon Tong) writes:

>: Two Australian citizens, both aged under 10, have been kidnapped
>: by their father, who happens to be a Malaysian Prince.  The natural
>: parents are divorced and the mother has sole custody.  The Australian 

>Who gave the custody? Malaysia or Australian government?

That should have nothing to do with it. They were Australian
citizens, presumably. If that is the case, then this guy is 
a kidnapper. I mean, how could the Malaysian Govt. or legal 
system give custody over citizens of another country?

>: It is incredible that a Malaysian Prince can just came to Australia,
>: kidnapped the children and vanished.  I know he must have unusual

>Incredible isn't it? Especially against the children's will. The 9 year olds
>can already shout at the airports, airplanes etc.

If he can get out of Australia without passing through customs,
immigration etc. then he would have no trouble keeping them quiet
if he wanted to.

>: c) One news report stated that the daughter might be circumcised
>:    if she was taken back to Malaysia.
>:    Is female circumcision common in Malaysia ?
>Yes only if she wants to. 

And how likely is a 9 year old's  (how old is the daughter?) protests
to a procedure that she likely won't understand will be listened to?

>: d) What is the Islamic law's attitude on female circumcision ?

>Islam does not require circumcision as a condition
>to be a Muslim. Only the above statement. Circumcison is practised for 
>health reasons. This practice is carried over from Judaism. My daughter was

EXCUSE ME!  Female circumcision was never a Jewish custom. There is
no basis in health for it. (and, with the easy availability of a 
decent level of hygeine, less excuse for male circumcision).
And it's easy for you to say 'it aint much' when it isn't your
body.


The base facts as I see them - the kids were Australian citizens, 
due all the protection of any Australian citizen. By taking them 
from their rightful custodians (mother and stepfather), the Malaysian
father broke several Australian laws, and intefered with Australia's
Sovereignity. (sp?) It matters little in law that a Malaysian court
has granted the father custody - they shouldn't be out of Australia.

What I'm almost certain will happen though, is that our government
(who is supposed to protect us), will not do anything except perhaps
provide some legal help in Malaysia, which will be useless as the
courts have already come out in favour of the father.

>Othman bin Ahmad, School of EEE,
-- 
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