'JAIS is UMNO's last bastion in Selangor'

Shah Alam member of parliament Khalid Samad has described the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) as UMNO's last bastion in the state.

Responding to the latest action against him for giving a religious talk in Klang without approval from JAIS, Khalid said the department was too eager to stop the Islamic party from getting close to the people especially at religious programmes in mosques.

“Whatever JAIS is doing is politically motivated. Let me be very clear: JAIS is UMNO’s fortress and final bastion to curb PAS.

"The enactments used by them were passed during (UMNO's) tenure as state government and only in this way can they take whatever actions especially when election is just around the corner,” said Khalid.

Khalid said JAIS should instead encourage the dissemination of Islamic knowledge to the public and not complicate matters for the propagation of Islam.

"For three years, we tried to shape JAIS in the understanding that ‘Islam governs' and not 'governed’, but JAIS insists on the archaic notion of ‘tauliah’ (teaching credentials) before one could deliver religious talks,” he added.

For his 'offence', Khalid has been told to appear at the Klang Syariah Court on November 24 to face a charge under Section 119 of the Selangor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment. If found guilty, he could face up to RM3,000 fine or two years' imprisonment, or both.

“I will continue to fight for Islam although I may lose my advantage as parliamentarian if I am found guilty. If Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng risked everything for justice to a Malay girl, why should we fear when we are fighting for Islam," stressed Khalid, adding that he would give full cooperation during the legal process.

In a related development, Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman said his application to renew his teaching credentials from JAIS was rejected. He however vowed to continue delivering talks on Islam.

Prior to this, former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainul Abidin was arrested by JAIS officials while giving a religious talk at a private residence.

Commenting on the action against Khalid, Asri said JAIS was making things difficult for the teaching of Islam.

"So don't frown when Muslims leave Islam. Power is used to curb your own religion," said Asri, and quoted a hadith of the Prophet, "Spread my words even if one sentence".

- Harakahdaily