Immigration need not refer to Jakim on ban list, says MCA boss

The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) should not dictate the Immigration Department's ban list, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Selangor MCA state convention yesterday, Liow said Jakim's role is to monitor activities related to Muslims and matters relating to Islam.

"When it comes to moral policing and monitoring people's behaviour, it is a different matter. This should not be conflated with (Jakim's core duties)," he said, according to a video posted by The Star Online.

Liow was responding to Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali, who said on Saturday that the department had received information from the police and Jakim regarding who to bar from entering the country to attend the so-called "White Party Bangkok" event.

DivineBliss, the purported venue for “White Party Bangkok,” had told Malaysiakini that there was no such event taking place at their venue.

However, promotional material for the event was given wide coverage in local dailies, because it was said to be a “gay-friendly” event.

Liow said that it was not necessary for the Immigration Department to bar individuals from entering the country to join the event.

Using the consumption of alcohol in Malaysia as an example, he said non-Muslims have a right to choose their way of life.

“Drinking may be a sin in Islam, but as for non-Muslims, we have the freedom to choose to drink or not. It is not up to them (the authorities) to decide.

"For example, I am a vegetarian. I do not drink, but I respect people's freedom to drink. This is my right. This is the people's right.

"Whether to drink or not, it is our choice. It should not be determined by the Immigration Department or Jakim," Liow said.- Mkini