Jakim to continue monitoring insults against Islam - deputy minister

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will continue to monitor any insults against Islam and Prophet Muhammad on social media.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (above) said there were several cases of postings on various social media platforms that were brought to court, which showed the seriousness of Jakim in addressing the issue.

“Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country and Islamic teaching should, therefore, be respected and upheld on all platforms.

“Jakim via its monitoring unit has been put on alert over the religiously offensive online postings deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad… we consider this a serious offence that should not be committed by any individual,” he said.

He said this after a town hall programme with Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ) at Kompleks Darul Kifayah in Labuan today.

Marzuk said it was crucial to uphold the unity and harmony of the multi-religious community in the country.

“We must admit the phenomenon (religious offensive postings) in the country is still rampant even before we (Perikatan Nasional) took over the government.

“The freedom (to use social media) granted by the government must not be abused to the extent of offending and insulting other religions, which can potentially lead to religious and racial tension,” he said.

Jakim will continue to work together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to address such postings, he added. 

- Bernama