Deputy minister criticises petition on FT mufti, says it's Agong's prerogative

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of religious affairs Ahmad Marzuk Shaary has criticised a petition lobbying for the appointment of an independent preacher as the new Federal Territories mufti.

Marzuk said the position is the prerogative of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and should be respected.

"To date, we have yet to decide on a suitable candidate and I hope that all quarters will respect (the process) because it is within the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's powers to make the appointment," he told journalists in Kota Bharu today.

He was responding to a petition calling for the appointment of independent preacher Habib Ali Zaenal Abedin al-Hamid as the new Federal Territories mufti.

The position fell vacant after its incumbent Zulkifli Mohamad, a moderate figure, was appointed as the new Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of religious affairs under the Perikatan Nasional government.

Marzuk called the petition an "unhealthy culture".

"We hope it will stop as it involves the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's powers," he said.

He also responded to criticism about Zulkifli's meetings with a number of religious leaders during the movement control order, maintaining that they complied with standard operating procedures.

"Everyone who came was screened, anyone with a fever was not allowed to come in," he said. - Mkini