Khalid orders Jais, Mais to probe apostasy claims

By Melissa Chi

February 22, 2012

SHAH ALAM, Feb 22 — Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim instructed today the state’s religious authorities to investigate apostasy claims and put a stop to baseless accusations.

He said the state government has agreed for Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to investigate the apostasy claims which have surfaced recently.

The Selangor mentri besar stressed today that it is “very important” that Jais and Mais investigate the claims thoroughly “for the sake of everyone”. — file pic

“This is following the claims by Datuk Hasan Ali and non-governmental organisations (NGO) who attempted to create unrest among the Muslims and non-Muslims in Selangor,” Khalid told reporters here.

Khalid’s announcement comes on the heels of claims by the former Selangor Islamic affairs executive councillor who alleged that Christian ministers have resorted to handing out electronic gadgets and wearing kopiah(skullcaps) to mosques in their efforts to convert Muslims. Hasan also said he has proof of Muslims being baptised by the ministers in question.

The Gombak Setia assemblyman, who was sacked from PAS and the state government in January, told an anti-apostasy rally in Kepala Batas, Penang that Muslims in the country were vulnerable to these methods due to their lack of faith.

He said that when he was Selangor executive councillor, he received at least 60 reports of apostasy including how Muslims were enticed with money and given gifts of laptop computers, cameras, cars, monthly food provisions and gadgets such as solar-powered audio bibles.

Claims of apostasy heightened following last year’s controversial August 3 raid by Selangor Islamic authorities on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya, where it was alleged that Christians were converting Muslims.

Today, Khalid stressed that it is “very important” that Jais and Mais investigate the claims thoroughly “for the sake of everyone”.

“What is clear is that these claims are not supported by solid proof and they have created discomfort among a multi-racial society.

“These claims are also not constructive because the purpose was to weaken the roles of Mais and Jais,” he said.

The mentri besar said the state government has never barred any individual or organisation from voicing dissenting views on the issue or using state-owned premises and sister companies for their activities.

“Although the state government takes a liberal approach, we will not support the use of our premises for activities that can create unrest among the society.

“If the claims created tension, we will think of appropriate actions to uphold justice and truth for all,” Khalid said.