Religious affairs minister to meet interfaith council on Friday

 

Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar previously said Jakim officers were not placed in government departments to influence policy but only to organise Islamic religious programmes. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar will meet the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) this Friday to clarify the placement of Islamic development department (Jakim) officers in government departments.

In a brief text message to FMT, Na’im said the meeting with the interfaith council was slated to take place at about 3pm.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier today ordered Na’im and national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang to meet the council to hear their views and clear the air on the placement of Jakim officers in all government departments.

MCCBCHST had responded to a statement made by a Sabah political leader, who reportedly raised concerns over reports that Jakim officers would ensure decisions of every government department aligned with Islamic principles.

The council argued that such a role for Jakim officers would fall outside the constitutional scope of the role of Islam as interpreted by the courts.

However, Na’im had clarified that Jakim officers were not being placed in government departments to influence policy but only to organise Islamic religious programmes.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the issue was the result of a misunderstanding, adding that this policy for the placement of Jakim officers had existed since 2007 but no placements had been made since then. - FMT