Johor sultan wants Jakim to explain RM1 billion budget

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar will be demanding Jakim show its books during the next Conference of Rulers. – Facebook pic, December 27, 2015.

The sultan of Johor said he does not understand why the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) needs nearly RM1 billion a year in allocations, just one month after a deputy minister said the budget is not enough for the federal religious agency.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Star, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said he wanted Jakim to show him how they spent the money during the next Conference of Rulers.

"I am curious to know – if it is true – why do they need a RM1 billion budget? Does it include allocations to all the states?

"During my next Conference of Rulers, I want them to show me their breakdown for expenses. I want to know if they are financing our religious schools here," the Johor ruler was quoted as saying.

The Malaysian Insider reported in November that Jakim was allocated nearly RM1 billion of taxpayer's money this year, with the bulk of it going to policy activities that include thwarting the attempts by "deviant groups'" to lead Muslims here astray.

Responding to the article, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Jakim needed more than RM1 billion to meet the demands of Malaysian Muslims and combat those who oppose Islam's position as the religion of the federation.

But critics had accused Jakim of being unconstitutional and encroaching into the powers of the state rulers, who were heads of religion for their respective states.

Sultan Ibrahim affirmed the rulers' positions, and said Jakim's powers were limited to advising or proposing guidelines to them.

He said it was up to the sultans to accept Jakim's advice, adding that the federal religious department had no right to interfere in the state.

'Give Najib a chance'

Sultan Ibrahim also told The Star that he believed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should be given a chance, and that the everyone must "move on".

He said every prime minister had committed mistakes, and Najib "is the prime minister whether you like it or not".

"I know the prime minister has come under much criticism but I say give him a chance. The year has come to an end, we must move on. It has been a challenging year for everyone, including myself.

"There are issues that still need to be tackled, that need to convince the people, that need answers, but I must say that they also need closure.

"Every one of us makes mistakes but we must be prepared to learn from them, make amends and do what is right. Right what is wrong."

He said Najib regularly updated him on development issues affecting the state, and that the two had quiet, informal meetings not reported in the media.

"I do not want to dig up the past nor do I wish to take a swipe at any politician, active or retired, but the prime minister understands and appreciates the need to work closely and not to repeat the past."

Sultan Ibrahim said he had also received visits from one of Najib's most harshest critics, former deputy prime minister and former Johor menteri besar Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"He comes to see me via appointments. I allow this but I try to avoid talking about politics. He came to see me twice.

"He does express his unhappiness. I listen and keep it to myself."

He admitted that while he was outspoken, he believed in letting the politicians handle politics as he was above it.

"I am very proud of being a Johorean but that does not mean I must blindly support anyone from Johor. The people should also not make such deductions."

Fed up with indecisiveness on vaping

Sultan Ibrahim said he ordered a ban on vape sales because he was fed up with the state authorities dithering over the issue.

He said vaping was a health issue and that the sight of "women in headscarves and even children puffing away" made him realise it was the beginning of a disaster.

He hit out at "mindless politicians" who turned vaping into politics and race, and questioned whether they actually cared about the health of the people.

"I was fed up of the various authorities at both the state and federal levels, which could not decide on what to do," he was quoted as saying.

"They were dragging their feet and some politicians were making silly remarks such as vaping should not be banned because a million votes would be lost and Bumiputera interest would be affected."

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended vaping, saying that any restrictions would only kill the Malay-dominated industry.

But Sultan Ibrahim said those defending vaping were doing it from a business standpoint and ignoring its consequences on health.

- TMI