Ex-law minister to join Indira's 'teddy bear' protest

Ex-law minister to join Indira's 'teddy bear' protest


Published: Nov 11, 2025 7:00 PM
Updated: 10:00 PM



Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim will join the “justice march” for M Indira Gandhi, who has been fighting since 2009 to be reunited with her daughter, Prasana Diksa, who was just 11 months old when her father took her away.

“How could the two systems of laws on custody not find common ground for justice? It looks like one system cares more about God and the other about the mother and her child.

“So many years and many civil court decisions could not prevail because the police thought they should not be sandwiched between syariah and civil, which is a fallacy. Civil court has enforcement powers which syariah does not have,” Zaid told Malaysiakini.

The former minister emphasised that it is “most tragic” when governments, prime ministers, and royalty are “unwilling to take the side of the truth and justice”.

“That’s why I will join the march next week; this country must protect everyone regardless of faith,” he added.


READ MORE: Indira's legal battle for 16 years: A mum looks for her child


The march on Nov 22 will start at the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur and conclude at the Bukit Aman police headquarters, where Indira is expected to hand over a teddy bear belonging to her daughter.

M Indira Gandhi has not seen her daughter for 16 years after her wanted ex-husband kidnapped the child


The protest aims to spotlight the authorities’ alleged inaction in reuniting Indira with her missing child.

Riduan using govt aid

Last month, the handling of the case by the police and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) faced renewed scrutiny amid claims that Indira’s ex-husband, Riduan Abdullah, has been living freely in the country and receiving government aid despite an arrest warrant issued over a decade ago.

Checks by Malaysiakini on the Budi95 and Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) platforms, using an IC number linked to Riduan, found that the account had fully used the one-off RM100 Sara cash aid and a portion of the 300-litre Budi95 fuel subsidy quota.

In 2009, Indira’s ex-husband unilaterally converted their three children to Islam without her consent and sought custody through the Syariah Court.

The following year, the Ipoh High Court granted Indira full custody. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court order compelling the inspector-general of police to recover Prasana.

The Federal Court, in 2016, brought the legal battle to a close by ordering the police to arrest Riduan and reunite Prasana with her mother.