Be responsible, don’t give incendiary speeches - minister

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has called on all parties to be responsible and not arbitrarily give speeches that could cause strife, tension and anxiety in the society.

He said this included issuing statements that touched on Islamic religious matters and fatwas.

In a statement today, Na’im said any religious matter, especially those dealing with faith and the Syariah, should be referred to the state Islamic religious authorities and scholars certified as experts in the discipline.

“All parties are requested to stop arguments and conflicts that can destroy the unity and peace of the country.

“We must unite to develop the country to be more advanced, prosperous, competitive, and peaceful," he said.

Na’im said he also heeded the decree issued by Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah as the chairperson of the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI), who urged all parties, especially political leaders, to take responsibility for strengthening unity for the sake of the nation's wellbeing.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah

According to Na’im, all leaders need to wholeheartedly accept and comply with Sultan Sharafuddin’s decree so that religion is not misused to gain political support.

On Sept 13, Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that all parties, especially political leaders, should stop issuing fatwas irresponsibly in order to preserve unity in this country.

The Selangor ruler said he did not want to see the people divided due to the actions of some irresponsible political leaders, and that his decree was not partisan.

According to Na’im, the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) has mobilised all agencies to strengthen the unity and togetherness of Muslims through various efforts and initiatives including enhancing the role of mosques and surau institutions as centres of unification for the ummah.

- Bernama