KUALA LUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) is against the decision to allow any Muslim child born out of wedlock to carry his or her biological father's name.
In a statement today, NRD director-general Datuk Mohd Yazid Ramli said the department had filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision on July 25, to the Federal Court through the Attorney General's Chambers.
“The High Court had previously ruled that under Islamic law, it is not permissible to allow a child conceived out of wedlock to carry the name of his biological father as a surname, in view of the fact that he was born less than six months from the date of the parents' marriage.
“Therefore, NRD's action is in line with the convocation of the National Fatwa Council," he said.
Accordingly, Mohd Yazid added, NRD's current implementation in relation to Muslim children born out of wedlock maintains.
“Any amendments to the current practice will only be considered after the decision of the Federal Court is obtained,” he added.
On July 25, the Court of Appeal unanimously allowed a seven-year old boy and his parents' appeal to use the father's name as his surname.
The court made the decision on the grounds that the surname Abdullah can carry a negative stigma among the Muslim community.