PUTRAJAYA, April 13 — The report stating that the result of the Syawal moon observation on May 2, 2022, to decide the date of Aidilfitri last year is null and void, is untrue, the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) stressed today.

In a statement issued in response to the report, the agency said this was because the result of the observation was in compliance with the procedures set by the Office of the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal.

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“On the evening of the 29th of Ramadan last year, the crescent moon was successfully sighted through a telescope by one of the members of the Labuan Federal Territory Moon Observation Committee and the image obtained was reviewed by the committee,” it said.

It said the staff of the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM) who are members of the committee have also been able to observe the crescent moon through theodolite equipment.

“The sighting of the crescent moon was then reported to the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal to seek the consent of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong,” it said.

In the statement, Jakim also refuted the article which stated that the report of the sighting of the moon was not recorded on the website of the Office of the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal because a check on the website found that the record can be easily accessed at https://www.majlisraja-raja. gov.my/ms/cerapan-anak-bulan.

It said all parties are advised to be careful in issuing statements or any content related to the issue so as not to cause disputes and polemics that could lead to public unrest.

“...the public is also advised to get information only from authentic and authoritative sources before issuing any comments,” it said. — Bernama