The Penang Islamic Department (Jaipp) today caused a stir at a Chinese funeral when they took away the body said to be that of a Muslim convert.
Jaipp officers arrived at Lebuh Macallum, where the funeral was held at about 1.20pm, some 20 minutes after the police reached the scene first to inform the deceased's family to stop the funeral procession.
After negotiating with the family, Jaipp officers took the body away at about 3.50pm in a van, and sent it to the mortuary pending further investigation.
The incident shocked and upset the deceased's family members, who were not aware that waitress, Teoh Cheng Cheng, 38, had become a Muslim.
The Star Online reported that Teoh had converted some 17 years ago and had a Muslim boyfriend. Her Muslim name was Nora Teoh Abdullah.
Her mother Tan Ma Suan, 64, questioned why the department waited so long to take action if her daughter was in fact a Muslim.
She asked why the department had to come on the day of the funeral, adding that the family will consider taking legal action against the department.
Teoh died last Saturday after she fell to her death at an apartment.
State religious exco Datuk Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim said the matter has been resolved amicably.
"Proof showing that the deceased was a Muslim was presented to the family and they have accepted it.
"They allowed the department to take the body for burial according to Muslim rites. Everything has been amicably settled," he told The Malaysian Insider.
