JUDGMENT

The Factual Background

[1]The applicant converted to Islam on 26.7.2010 at the Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (“MAIWP”), the 3^rd respondent herein. His conversion was duly registered by the Registrar of Muallafs of the 3^rd respondent. After his conversion, the applicant married Hayati binti Jamalul (“Hayati”) on 14.10.2010.

[2]Unfortunately, the marriage did not last. It ended up in a divorce. The divorce was recorded by the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Subordinate Court on 17.9.2015 by a single talaq rajie.

[3]On 9.11.20218, the applicant commenced a proceeding at the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court, the 2^nd respondent herein, against the 3^rd respondent, inter alia, for a declaratory order that the applicant is no longer a Muslim.

[4]On 19.10.2020, the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court (“KL Syariah High Court”) dismissed the applicant’s claim. The KL Syariah High Court also allowed the 3^rd respondent’s counterclaim which required the applicant to attend Akidah Counselling (“the KL Syariah High Court Order”).

[5]The KL Syariah High Court Order states inter alia as follows:

(i)Mahkamah menolak tuntutan ini;

(ii)Plaintif hendaklah menghadiri kelas bimbingan akidah yang dianjurkan oleh