Mais denies plot against Khalid, points to others

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) today denied Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad's allegation that the council is plotting to oust Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Instead, MAIS pointed its fingers to "those around the MB" as the culprits.

"On the contrary, what is heard is that those around the MB are trying to topple him," said Mais chairperson Mohamad Abzib Mohd Isa in a statement issued today.

The council also warned that it will consult its lawyer on whether legal action can be taken against Khalid for slander.

"Mais vehemently denies the accusation by Khalid... This allegation by Khalid (above, left) is very irresponsible and aims to confuse the Islamic community especially in Selangor," he said, adding that all Islamic institutions in the state should not be exploited for political purposes.

"But this is what has been happening. Certain quarters or political parties have made religious institutions a platform to spread their political agenda, which could tarnish the credibility of the institutions including the sanctity of places of worship," said Mohamad Abzib.

'Duty to brief NGOs'

On Mais' meeting with Muslim NGOs on Aug 5, Mohamad Adzib said the whole purpose of the meeting was to brief them on the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC).

He pointed out that it is Mais' responsibility to hold such meetings to clarify issues so that they are accurately relayed to the public.

The meeting was chaired by Selangor state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs, Hasan Ali, and attended by Mohamad Adzib himself, Jais director Marzuki Hussin, the state legal advisor and representatives from 45 Muslim NGOs.

Mohamad Adzib explained that the meeting included a speech by Hasan, a briefing and video presentation by Jais enforcement officers and a question and answer session.

"Mais does not deny that there were government staff present at the meeting, but they attended in their capacities as representatives of their respective NGOs," he said, adding that Mais held a special meeting to discuss the same issue a few days after the meeting with Muslim NGOs.

Yesterday Khalid Samad challenged Mais to prove that they were not plotting against the MB by showing the agenda and minutes of the meeting.

"If they had no ill-intentions, why did Mais and Jais come together to give an explanation about the Damansara Utama Methodist Church issue to the NGOs when Jais is yet to submit a report on the incident to the MB?" said Khalid.