It is up to state Islamic Affairs Departments to arrest PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu following the Home Ministry's ‘exposé' that he is holds to Shiite beliefs, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.
"That (matter of arresting Mat Sabu), we leave it to (Islamic Affairs Department) of the states," Jamil said at a press conference today.
Asked about his department's follow-up action after the Home Ministry exposé, Jamil said he would hold further discussions on the matter with the ministry.
"We will discuss this with the Home Ministry later... the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) had already issued a statement yesterday," he replied curtly.
Home Ministry secretary-general Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi revealed on Thursday that Mohamad, or Mat Sabu as he is widely known, had made a Shiitte invocation during a PAS ceramah in Arau, Perlis, in 2005.
He also claimed that Mohamad had strong ties with Iranian revolution leader Khomeini and Lebanese Shiite leader Hassan Nasrullah.
'Mat Sabu frequently travels to Iran'
In addition, he said, Mat Sabu travelled to Iran frequently for dealings, such as sending students to the city of Qom, a holy site for Shiites, and that he had already met Hassan four or five times.
On his part, Mat Sabu admitted to being an admirer of Khomeini and Hassan and maintained his denial that he holds the Shiite belief.
Asked about the proposal to form a syariah police force to curb deviant teachings and Shiite beliefs, Jamil said he would discuss it with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as soon as possible.
He also welcomed this suggestion by Zahid, who is also an Umno vice president.
"We welcome it, so that on syariah matters, there will be a group that gives more attention to taking action.
"We will see to its formation as soon as possible to help the Islamic Affairs Department perform its duties," Jamil said.
He said the syariah police would be placed under the state religious affairs departments, as per Schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution.
"We can only help with coordination at the central level. We cannot interfere with the rights and powers of the state governments," Jamil added. - Mkini
"That (matter of arresting Mat Sabu), we leave it to (Islamic Affairs Department) of the states," Jamil said at a press conference today.
Asked about his department's follow-up action after the Home Ministry exposé, Jamil said he would hold further discussions on the matter with the ministry.
"We will discuss this with the Home Ministry later... the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) had already issued a statement yesterday," he replied curtly.
Home Ministry secretary-general Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi revealed on Thursday that Mohamad, or Mat Sabu as he is widely known, had made a Shiitte invocation during a PAS ceramah in Arau, Perlis, in 2005.
He also claimed that Mohamad had strong ties with Iranian revolution leader Khomeini and Lebanese Shiite leader Hassan Nasrullah.
'Mat Sabu frequently travels to Iran'
In addition, he said, Mat Sabu travelled to Iran frequently for dealings, such as sending students to the city of Qom, a holy site for Shiites, and that he had already met Hassan four or five times.
On his part, Mat Sabu admitted to being an admirer of Khomeini and Hassan and maintained his denial that he holds the Shiite belief.
Asked about the proposal to form a syariah police force to curb deviant teachings and Shiite beliefs, Jamil said he would discuss it with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as soon as possible.
He also welcomed this suggestion by Zahid, who is also an Umno vice president.
"We welcome it, so that on syariah matters, there will be a group that gives more attention to taking action.
"We will see to its formation as soon as possible to help the Islamic Affairs Department perform its duties," Jamil said.
He said the syariah police would be placed under the state religious affairs departments, as per Schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution.
"We can only help with coordination at the central level. We cannot interfere with the rights and powers of the state governments," Jamil added. - Mkini
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