Lawyer slams academic’s call to replace religious minister, FT mufti

Federal territories syariah lawyers council president Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said efforts to incite hostility towards the minister and the mufti’s office are harmful to society and disrespectful to these important institutions.

PETALING JAYA: 

A prominent syariah lawyer has criticised an academic’s call to replace the religious affairs minister and the federal territories mufti in light of the controversy surrounding the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024.

Federal territories syariah lawyers council president Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said such demands were unprofessional and might damage the credibility of Malaysia’s academic community.

“If it’s true that an academic is pushing for this change, it’s disappointing. Does this mean that he has exhausted all scholarly arguments to justify his position?” he said.

“Efforts to incite hostility towards the minister and the mufti’s office are harmful to society and disrespectful to these important institutions.

“It’s understandable if this came from netizens, but for an academic to do so risks tarnishing their credibility if they can’t back their stance with facts and evidence,” he said, adding that amendments to the mufti bill were made in line with existing laws.

Earlier today, an academic from International Islamic University Malaysia suggested that religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar be replaced with another official who would be able to better address the issues surrounding the controversial Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024.

Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin said the government should also consider appointing a “better” individual to the position of federal territories mufti, reported Malaysiakini.

The proposed bill is to be tabled for a second and third reading in the Dewan Rakyat next week.

Previously, Na’im spoke out against those spreading confusion by misinterpreting the proposed law, dismissing claims that it threatened the religious freedoms guaranteed under the constitution.

Critics of the bill include the G25 group of prominent retired civil servants, which said the bill did not align with the principles of justice and equality, and would contravene the Federal Constitution.

Women’s rights group Sisters in Islam claimed that the proposed new law provides unchecked power to religious authorities, while lawyer-activist Latheefa Koya said the bill would empower the government, through the mufti, to control or police every aspect of life of Muslims in Malaysia.

Latheefa also said the bill would, in effect, create two chief authorities on Islamic affairs in the federal territories – the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the constitutional head of Islam in the federal territories and states without a sultan, as well as the mufti.

The bill was also criticised by Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin, who claimed it would hinder freedom of thought as well as academic freedom in the name of religion. - FMT