PETALING JAYA: A bureau will be activated to manage religious issues and address the concerns of non-Muslims on issues such as the placement of officers from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) at government agencies and departments, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said that Bureau of Religious Issues Management and Mediation would be established by the Inter-Religious Harmony Committee (Harmoni).
He said this was proposed during a meeting held with the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBHST) yesterday.
He said the non-Muslim organisation was briefed on the history of the placement of Jakim officers at government agencies and departments.
He added that 10 representatives from the organisation attended a meeting with him and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang in Putrajaya. Officers from the two ministries also attended the meeting.
The meeting was held following the council’s concerns about reports suggesting that Jakim officers might be placed in every government department “to ensure decisions align with Islamic principles”.
The council had voiced concerns that placing Jakim officers in government departments implied Jakim’s involvement in the public sphere.
It said this could be unconstitutional as it might infringe upon the rights guaranteed to all Malaysians.
While it supported Islam’s constitutional position as the religion of the federation, the council believed that enabling Jakim officers to vet government policies to ensure they aligned with Islamic principles might be an overreach.
Mohd Na’im said the meeting with the council was held to clarify the issue of the placement of Jakim officers in ministries.
“At the meeting, MCCBHST was given a briefing on the history, functions and roles of Jakim officers who have been placed in government agencies since the 1980s. The placement of these officers has been approved by the Public Service Department to carry out their roles pertaining to Islamic affairs.
“The roles of Jakim officers at government departments and agencies can be summarised into management, human development, rehabilitation, safety and prevention based on the needs of the agencies, departments and ministries,” he said.
He said the meeting was held in a cordial manner and the multi- faith leaders accepted the explanation with an open mind.
Mohd Na’im also said that such meetings were part of the “good governance” policy practised by the unity government.
Meanwhile, Aaron Ago said there had been no increase in the placement of Jakim officers under the federal government.
“There are 1,250 Jakim officers currently and there have been no new postings under the unity government.
“These officers only focus on Islamic affairs and they do not play any role in the enactment of policies of government departments and ministries,” he said.
He also said the Harmoni bureau, which was set up in 2020, would be activated to hold more discussions pertaining to understanding government policies as the members included both Muslims and non-Muslim leaders.
In June, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government wanted Jakim’s role to be expanded, including helping in the drafting of a national development policy framework based on Malaysia Madani.
Non-Muslim leaders then raised concerns about Jakim officers being placed in government departments to ensure that decisions aligned with Islamic principles.
The government, however, denied this, stating that Jakim officers’ roles in government departments were limited to organising Islamic religious programmes.
