Man’s suit to be named a Christian moved to Shah Alam High Court
Man’s suit to be named a Christian moved to Shah Alam High Court
The challenge questions the legality of religious identification on MyKad and the jurisdiction of shariah courts.

The challenge was brought by Shameer PV, a 34-year-old legal researcher and law graduate, who claims that his constitutional right to profess Christianity has been infringed, despite having identified himself as a Christian since the age of 18.
Apart from the state government, Shameer has named the federal government and the Selangor Islamic religious council as defendants.
He contends that the word “Islam” has appeared on his identity card since he was 12, pursuant to a regulation introduced under the National Registration Act in 2000.
He argues that the legislation violates Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to profess their chosen religion.
In 2018, he initiated proceedings in the Selangor shariah court, seeking recognition of his Christian faith. However, after 72 sessions, his application was dismissed in January 2026.
The shariah court also directed the relevant Selangor state departments and religious authorities to guide and control his practice of Islam.
On July 6, Shameer filed an originating summons in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, seeking a constitutional determination by the Federal Court on two questions.
The first is whether identifying individuals as Muslims on their identity cards violates freedom of religion, and the second is whether shariah courts have jurisdiction to determine the religious affiliation of individuals who do not profess Islam.
He is also seeking declarations that the regulation is unconstitutional and that the shariah court proceedings against him are void.
His application further concerns the legal recognition of his marriage to his Christian wife and his status as the father of their child.















