KUALA LUMPUR — Parents of non-Muslim children can take legal action against Islamic preacher Firdaus Wong over a viral video encouraging covert conversion, the High Court has ruled.
Justice Datuk Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh said the video, posted on TikTok last July, infringed on the parents’ constitutional rights under Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution, which grants parents the authority to determine the religion of their children under 18.
“The plaintiffs clearly have locus standi to bring this action not only in their personal capacity but also in the public interest to safeguard the constitutional rights of non-Muslim parents,” Amarjeet said in a 21-page judgment delivered last month.
The suit was filed by eight parents who sought a declaration that Firdaus’s video was unconstitutional, unlawful, and void. They also requested an order to have the video permanently removed — a request granted on July 10, 2025.
In the video, Firdaus is seen advising a religious teacher on how to respond to minors seeking to convert to Islam without notifying their parents.
The preacher allegedly encouraged secrecy, instructing that children pray privately and hide their conversion. He also threatened concerned parents in the video’s comments, warning them to limit their children’s access to social media, malls, and social activities.
Justice Amarjeet described Firdaus’ conduct as showing “scant regard for his fellow Malaysians of different religions” and warned that it posed a serious risk to public order and harmony. The judge expressed surprise that authorities had not taken action despite multiple police reports lodged against Firdaus.
The ruling draws on a 2011 Federal Court decision that citizens have a duty to respect one another’s constitutional rights. The judgment departs from a 2005 ruling, which held that constitutional rights could only be enforced against the government.
Lawyer Norazali Nordin, representing Firdaus, had opposed the suit, arguing that citizens cannot bring a cause of action against each other for constitutional breaches. Firdaus has since filed an appeal against the High Court decision.
Under Article 12(4), parents retain the authority to decide their children’s religion until they reach 18. Amarjeet ruled that Firdaus’ advice undermined this right, not only for the plaintiffs’ children but for all non-Muslim minors in Malaysia.
Firdaus, who has preached since 2011, has claimed to have converted 137 people to Islam.
The High Court’s decision now sets a precedent allowing individuals to seek redress against fellow citizens for violating constitutional rights. — October 18, 2025
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