Na’im spells out Jakim’s role in government departments

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has clarified that the placement of Islamic Development officials in various government departments is merely meant for limited roles such as organising Islamic programmes in the departments.

“It is not true. Jakim only organises religious programmes,” he said citing a statement released by his department earlier last month, reported The Star.

Jakim also clarified that the policy was established under different administrations from the 1980s until the early 2000s, and it is not a new policy of the of the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim led government.

Yesterday the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism objected to the move after Sabah based Daily Express reported LDP vice president David Ong raising concerns since it was reported that Jakim officials would be placed in various departments to ensure decisions made are aligned to Islamic principles.

MCCBCHST pointed out that the move contradicted Articles 5 to 13 of the Federal Constitution.

It resulted in Pas slamming MCCBCHST as being Islamophobic whereas a Muslim lawyers group claimed that the MCCBCHST’s criticism was seditious.

In a related development, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that National Unity Minister would meet the MCCBCHST to clear the air over the issue.