Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Dept staff charged with using fake MCs

Three civil servants of the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS) were charged at a magistrate's court here today, to using fake medical certificates (MCs).

Mazlan Ahmad, 48, Rosyanizam Yahya, 38, and Muhamad Hafiz Mohamad Sarpan, 33, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Rahimah Rahim.

Mazlan faced three charges of using fake MCs between Nov 2 and Dec 12, last year while Muhamad Hafiz faced four counts of using fake MCs between Feb 27, 2014 and Nov 11, last year.

Rosyanizam faced 13 counts between Dec 22, 2014 and April 18, this year.

All the offences were committed at JHEAINS.

Rahimah allowed all three accused bail of between RM1,200 and RM1,700 for each charge in one surety. Their families posted bail.

The court set June 21 for re-mention of the case.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ainnan Mohd Rasid and Siti Khadijah Mohd Pisol.

The accused were represented by Iwana Sakinah Mohd Lajis from the Legal Aid Foundation.

- Bernama

Despite sedition probe, preacher hits out at Jakim

Although a lawyer has been hauled up recently for sedition after criticising the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), a preacher has joined the fray against the religious authority.

Preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin, who is facing a separate sedition charge himself, said it was a misconception that criticising Jakim is tantamount to insulting Islam.

"There is a difference between Islam and a Islamic religious body. The views of an Islamic religious body does not necessarily represent Islam.

"This is because the views of an Islamic religious body can be right or wrong, but Islam is not wrong," he said in a statement today.

Lawyer Eric Paulsen (left) is being investigated for sedition after accusing Jakim of spreading extremism in Friday sermons.

Wan Ji noted that criticising Jakim - or the sermon text prepared by the religious authority - should not be likened to criticising Islam and is, in fact, a "healthy" practice.

He stressed that the only reference for Islam should be the Quran and hadiths, not religious authorities.

Wan Ji also criticised Jakim for giving Islam a bad name over a series of decisions made by the religious body.

'Giving Islam a bad name'

An example, he added, was Jakim's demand for action against dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof which led to her arrest for sedition.

Jakim had ruled that a video uploaded by Maznah of her celebrating Hari Raya with her dogs was insulting to Islam.

"Jakim's action differed from the teachings in the authentic hadith.

"Prophet Muhammad had described how the sins of an Israeli prostitute was forgiven because she gave water to a thirsty dog," he pointed out.

In another instance, he said Jakim had prohibited Muslims from touching dogs even though there are differing schools of thought on the matter.

Wan Ji (left) said Jakim's claim that Malaysia only subscribed to the Shafie school of thought also did not hold water, as the country's does not fully subscribe to it - such as in matters concerning zakat.

He added that Jakim should not be forcing Muslims to comply with the majority view of religious scholars, as they may eventually turn into a minority opinion - such as the initial banning of musical instruments.

Wan Ji was - in September last year - charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court with sedition for criticising the monarchy on the Internet.

Yesterday, the Shah Alam Sessions Court allowed him to challenge the constitutionality of his sedition charge at the High Court.

Bar Council: Why can't Paulsen criticise Jakim?

The government should not criminalise the recent statements by activist lawyer Eric Paulsen regarding the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), said the Malaysian Bar.

The Bar Council president Christopher Leong said this is because his comments are not insulting to Islam as some had alleged, but is directed at a government agency.

“It must be emphasised that an allegedly adverse statement directed at a government authority or agency, such as Jakim, should never be criminalised.

“A government authority or agency is not beyond public scrutiny or comment, nor can it be immune from criticism. This is part and parcel of the nature of accountability of public authorities in democratic societies,” he said in a statement today.

Paulsen, who is the executive director of Lawyers for Liberty, had made a tweet accusing Jakim of “promoting extremism” every Friday, likely referring to its Friday sermons. The tweet has since been deleted.

He was arrested on Monday night to facilitate investigations under the Sedition Act 1948, and was released on police bail yesterday.

The inspector-general of police Khalid Abdul Bakar said the arrest was made to “ensure harmony in this multiracial society”, while Paulsen has insisted that his comments are within legal boundaries.

Leong (left) also drew parallels between the case and an earlier incident in January 2013, where Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali called for Malay language bibles containing the word “Allah” to be burnt, following allegations that copies of it were distributed to students outside a school including Muslim students.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers later decided not to prosecute Ibrahim, as it was meant to defend the sanctity of Islam and not intended to cause religious disharmony.

Consistency needed

Leong said the government needs to be consistent in applying the law in Ibrahim’s case and in Paulsen’s case by taking the context of their statements into account.

“In its ordinary and natural meaning, the tweet was an expression of concern directed at the government to look into the actions of a government agency.

“Whether the concern as expressed is borne out is a matter for enquiry and rebuttal. There cannot be anything seditious about such comments,” he said.

Leong also slammed Khalid (left) tweets in response to Paulsen’s tweet accusing the latter as being rude, arrogant, and trying to incite Malaysians into disunity.

He said such comments are not in line with the level of independence, neutrality, and professionalism expected of the police.

He added that the case is also an example of how the Sedition Act is detrimental to nation-building, by punishing people simply because there may be others who take offence to their comments.

“The Sedition Act 1948 encourages people who threaten violence, and who are not open to adverse comments or ideas.

“It endorses and nurtures a culture of aggression, intemperance and intolerance that does not engender the growth and maturity of this nation and its peoples, and provides an environment for extremism to thrive,” he asserted.

Allah izinkan gadis Melayu dipeluk artis K-Pop, kata wanita

Tiga gadis Melayu yang berada di atas pentas dan berpeluk dengan artis K-pop B1A4 dari Korea Selatan tidak akan mendapat peluang sedemikian jika tidak kerana ketentuan Allah, kata seorang pengguna media sosial.

Wanita 20-an yang menyiarkan pendapatnya melalui video berdurasi 5:42 minit itu mendapat perhatian ramai pengguna media sosial lain yang turut berkongsi di Facebook dan YouTube.

Wanita tersebut ketika mengulas insiden yang kini menjadi viral dan mendapat perhatian meluas sehingga pemimpin negara dan badan agama berkata, gadis terbabit berada di atas pentas dengan keizinan Allah.

Katanya, mereka membuat pilihan untuk pergi ke konsert di KL Live Centre dan ia diizinkan Allah.

"Mereka memilih untuk berada atas pentas dan Allah izinkan mereka untuk berada atas pentas," katanya dalam video tersebut.

Kata-kata wanita terbabit bagaimanapun mengundang reaksi negatif pengguna laman sosial yang menyifatkan seolah-olah dakwaannya cuba menyalahkan tuhan kerana membiarkan perkara itu terjadi.

Seorang pengguna Facebook, Zax Baharudin berkata: "Yang baik datang dari Allah, yang tidak baik datang dari kita sendiri, Allah beri kita akal untuk berfikir dan buat pilihan, baik dan buruk adalah pilihan kita sendiri. Nafsu untuk beli tiket mahal dan naik ke pentas adalah pilihan sendiri."

Wanita terbabit pada masa sama menganggap insiden itu sebagai ujian Allah kepada masyarakat terutamanya "keyboard warrior" Melayu yang bertelagah dan mengeluarkan kata-kata kesat terhadap sesama sendiri.

Katanya, di sebalik tindakan negatif, masyarakat sepatutnya memberi sokongan kepada gadis terbabit dan bukan hanya menghukum sehingga menjejaskan kehidupan mereka.

"Jadi kalau anda rasa tak mahu ajak mereka kepada kebaikan jangan sesekali jadi punca kepada mereka jauhi kebaikan" katanya.

Pemilik akaun YouTube, FitrihadiTV yang turut memuat naik video itu semalam mengulas, walaupun kebanyakan hujah yang diberikannya agak baik, tetapi mengaitkan insiden itu dengan "keizinan Allah" tidak dapat diterima orang ramai.

"Kebanyakan poinnya agak baik. Namun pada awalnya, beliau mengatakan semua aksi yang berlaku tersebut adalah dengan izin Allah. Ramai yang tidak bersetuju dengan pendapat tersebut," katanya.

Pengguna akaun Facebook Dewi's Zakaria berkata: "Jangan bermain dengan perkataan 'dengan izin Allah' sebaiknya dalami ilmu sebelum berkata sesuatu. Allah tidak pernah mengizinkn sesuatu perkara yang menuju ke arah laranganNya. Kita manusia diberikan ilmu dan akal bagaimana nak memilih jalan yang lurus atau bengkok".

Ada juga beberapa pengguna Facebook yang mempertahankan kenyataan wanita tersebut, antaranya Zul Helmi Baharom yang berkata: "Moral dalam viral perempuan ini adalah untuk menghentikan cemuhan dan melebihkan doa kepada wanita yg berpeluk agar mereka kembali ke jalan yang benar dan bukan memaki hamun. Perempuan itu juga sudah dapat balasan dan pengajaran. Nabi pun berdakwah dengan cara yang baik, maka tegurlah dengan cara yang baik."

Konsert artis kumpulan dari Korea Selatan itu mula mencetuskan kontroversi ‎di laman sosial sejak hujung minggu lalu, dengan memaparkan adegan peluk dan cium di dahi oleh tiga ahli kumpulan itu bersama tiga gadis Melayu.

Tindakan itu menimbulkan kemarahan daripada masyarakat Islam terutama badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang melabelkan hiburan K-Pop merosakkan akidah remaja Islam dan ada kaitan dengan agenda Kristianisasi.

Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi) dilaporkan akan memohon waran tangkap sekir‎anya gadis Melayu yang didakwa "dicabul" artis K-Pop masih tidak menyerahkan diri secara sukarela bagi membantu siasatan.

Pengarah Jawi Paimuzi Yahya berkata, kes itu akan dibawa ke mahkamah dan sekiranya dapati bersalah, gadis Melayu itu perlu menghadiri sesi kaunseling bersama Jawi.

Beliau memberikan tempoh seminggu kepada gadis terbabit untuk menyerahkan diri atau waran tangkap dikeluarkan.

Paimuzi pada Isnin dilaporkan berkata, bahagian penguatkuasaan Jawi sudah membuka kertas siasatan kes mengikut Seksyen 29 Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 1977 (Akta 559) Perbuatan Tidak Sopan Di Tempat Awam.

Jika disabit kesalahan, mereka boleh didenda tidak melebihi RM1,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi enam bulan atau kedua-duanya.

Tekanan turut diberikan NGO kepada peganjur konsert yang mendesak pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan kepada TGM Events.

TGM Events dalam kenyataan rasmi melalui laman sosial Facebook kemudian meminta maaf atas insiden itu dan berjanji akan lebih berhati-hati dalam perkara membabitkan soal budaya dan agama ketika interaksi antara peminat dan artis pada masa akan datang.

Penganjur bagimanapun memberi jaminan tidak akan mendedahkan maklumat peminat yang terlibat dan melindungi privasi mereka termasuk aspek fizikal dan psikologi.

"Sebagai syarikat yang sebahagian besarnya diusahakan oleh wanita, kami tidak sekali-kali membenarkan perlakuan cabul atau gangguan seksual seperti yang digembar-gemburkan media," katanya. – 15 Januari, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/allah-izinkan-gadis-melayu-dipeluk-artis-k-pop-kata-wanita#sthash.xncSk1nS.dpuf

Paulsen freed on police bail

Lawyers for Liberty will issue a statement after Paulsen has had discussions with colleagues on his arrest and remand for two days.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen was freed on police bail on Wednesday at 4.30 pm after being held under remand for two days. He had no complaints against the police on the manner in which he was treated by them while in custody.

“I cannot say anything more since the case is under police investigation. I don’t want to be seen as hampering their probe,” said Paulsen who appeared before the waiting media in a white shirt and blue jeans. He was accompanied by his lawyers Michelle Yesudas and Radzlan Jalaluddin.

“However, I will be issuing a statement after discussions with my colleagues.”

If there’s anything good that has come out from this experience, he added that it was the realization that he had to choose his words better the next time when commenting in the social media. “All citizens have the right to express their opinions in line with the Federal Constitution.”

Paulsen said his computer and mobile phone were seized by the police and are still with them.

About 20 police detained Paulsen at about 9 pm on January 12 in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, apparently in connection with his tweet that Jakim was preaching extremism through its Friday sermons distributed to mosques.

DPM Calls For Probe On Eric Paulsen Over Allegation On Friday Sermons

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged the authorities to investigate Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen over his statement accusing the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of promoting extremism through the Friday sermons.

Muhyiddin, when asked to comment on Paulsen's remarks against Jakim on Twitter, said Paulsen's action must be dealt with appropriately.

"The relevant authorities should investigate Paulsen's statement and appropriate action be taken as many non-Muslims do not understand what Islam really is.

"Islam is not an extremist religion, (and) since when have our people (Malaysians) acted extraordinarily? Islam is the most moderate religion," he said.

Muhyiddin was speaking at a news conference after viewing the situation on the first day of the 2015 school session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya and Sekolah Menengah Cyberjaya, here, today.

He said the allegation of Friday sermons being deviated should not come about at all as the sermons do not ony revolve around the Islamic way of life but also societal and humanity issues.

"Perhaps Paulsen does not know this at all or has not learned about Islam," he said.

Paulsen had made the statement accusing Jakim of spreading extremism every Friday (through the sermons) on his Twitter page on Jan 9.

Following Paulsen's offending remarks, Umno Youth today made a report against him at the Putrajaya district police headquarters, here.

The report was lodged by the movement's Religious Bureau chairman Azmir Yuzaimi Mohd Yunos, who said that police should take stern action against Paulsen as this was not the first time he had made a seditious statement on his Twitter page.

"He had many times before this made provocative remarks against Islam but after being criticised, the criticism just died like that.

"This time, we want real stern action taken against him so that he does not repeat his misdeed," he said.

Paulsen had removed his offending statement from his Twitter page after being slammed by various quarters.

However, last Saturday, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that police would investigate Paulsen under the Sedition Act 1948.

Mais says ‘I Want To Touch A Dog’ manipulated its goals

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) today said that holding, kissing and hugging dogs during Sunday’s "I Want To Touch A Dog" event was not in line with the programme’s stated objectives as presented to the council.

Mais chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said he received a working paper on the programme from its organisers on October 3.

It outlined how it was aimed at teaching Muslims on the Islamic laws pertaining to dogs.

“The deliberate acts of holding, hugging and kissing dogs by Muslims like what happened that day is deeply regretted because such acts are against the ‘syarak’ laws.

“It was also not how the organisers had depicted it (to Mais) and was not in line with the programme’s objectives as mentioned in the organiser’s application’”

Adzib said the organisers had informed him that the objectives were: to explain the need to help dogs during emergency situations; situations when Muslims were allowed to keep dogs as pets; how to hold and manage dogs; and how to cleanse oneself after coming into contact with a wet dog.

“I understand that the intention or objection was to shed light and understanding on the laws related to the position of dogs from the Islamic perspective.

“Among the guidelines given to the Selangor mufti department as mentioned in the letter on October 9 was that while dogs provide many benefits to humans, Allah forbids that we touch them when we are wet and it is dry, or vice versa.

“This contact is considered unclean. But if both are dry, it is not considered unclean. That is why if dogs are kept to guard homes or to hunt, they must be kept outside the house.

"I Want To Touch A Dog" last Sunday drew a crowd of over 1,000 people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

But, the programme was criticised by several muftis and Malays who questioned the motive behind it.

Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Sh‎ukri Mohamad called for the organisers as well as the Muslims who touched the dogs to repent, saying that they had mocked Allah's laws.

Former Johor Mufti Datuk Nooh Gadut believed that the event was an attempt to insult the ulama and religious authorities.

The Johor Religious Council said deliberately touching a dog was haram (forbidden) because it was najis, or unclean, according to the Shafie and Hanbali schools of thought.

Former Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said that while the ulama unanimously agreed that a dry dog was not unclean, a person could still touch something unclean on the condition that they clean themselves afterwards.

"The Shafie school of thought is rather firm on this. But, other schools are wider and easier." – October 21, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mais-reveals-i-want-to-touch-a-dog-went-against-its-initial-aims#sthash.XsGGvxZ9.dpuf

Hands off massage parlours, sultan tells Jais - Malaysiakini

Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah today told the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) to stop focusing on raiding massage parlours.

In his speech to the Jais staff today, Sultan Sharafuddin said the department should only take action within its job scope and not infringe on the job scope of the local authorities.

"Taking action against massage parlours (rumah-rumah urut) is the responsibility of the local authorites," he said at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building today.

He added that this was also important so as to avoid criticism of Jais for focusing on trivial matters.

'Emphasise apostasy instead'

He pointed out that Jais should instead give emphasis on issues of apostasy, deviations from the teachings and political speeches in mosques and suraus that he said can affect the sanctity of Islam.

Stressing further, the sultan said Jais, similarly, should emphasise the understanding of Sunni Islam since it is the "main core of belief of the Muslims in the country".

"The failure of Muslims to understand Sunni Islam will give way to deviant teachings," he said.

The sultan then urged both Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (Mais) and Jais to remain as "neutral institutions".

He had earlier commented on several politicians who had taken advantage in using issues related to Islam, by questioning the actions of Mais and Jais as part of their political agenda.

"I want Mais and Jais to avoid getting involved in any party's political agenda," he stressed.

 

Muslims not encouraged to use ‘RIP’, says National Fatwa Council

 

Mourners paying respect to the late Karpal Singh at his house in Jalan Utama, Penang, today. The National Fatwa Council says Muslims should not use the phrase ‘Rest in Peace’ (RIP) to a non-Muslim because the term had Christian connotations. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 17, 2014.

Hours after the death of Karpal Singh, Muslims were told by the National Fatwa Council today they were not encouraged to use the phrase “Rest in Peace" (RIP) to a non-Muslim because the term had Christian connotations.

In a statement issued on its website, www.e-fatwa.gov.my, the National Fatwa Council said Muslims could express their condolences to non-Muslim families.

"Condolences can be expressed to a non-Muslim family as long as there are no religious implications," it said.

"Wishes such as 'I sympathise with what has happened to you' or 'we express our sadness at the loss in your family' are allowed.

"However, a Muslim is definitely not encouraged to wish a non-Muslim person 'Rest in Peace'," the council said.

The council said RIP was an assumption that the non-Muslim person would receive God's blessings.

"It is similar to the Latin prayer of 'May his soul and the souls of all the departed faithful by God's mercy rest in peace’."

The council said this sentence was a form of prayer regularly used by Christians, especially during the 18th century and regularly engraved on tombstones.

"From an Islamic point of view, a person who has died in blasphemy will not receive God's forgiveness and blessings," it said.

The council's statement also said the wish also depended on the intentions of the individual saying “RIP”.

Early today, Karpal, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, died in an accident when the car he was travelling in collided with a five-tonne lorry near Gua Tempurung on the North-South Expressway.

Karpal, who would have turned 74 on June 28, was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang to attend a court hearing scheduled for this morning.

The impact of the crash which took place about 1.10am killed the prominent lawyer and his personal assistant, Michael Cornelious Selvam Vellu, 39, on the spot.

Karpal's son, Ramkarpal, and the car's driver, C. Selvam, were injured. Karpal's Indonesian domestic helper was also injured and is in critical condition at Ipoh Hospital. – April 17, 2014.

Islamic NGOs: Taking away son is 'not kidnap'

 

A group of Islamic NGOs from Negri Sembilan said today that a Muslim convert father took away his six-year-old son from the custody of his former wife according to a syariah court order last year granting him custody of the children.

His Hindu ex-wife, S Deepa, won custody of their two children from the High Court in Seremban last Monday, but the NGOs claim that the civil court custody order did not cancel out the syariah court order, which granted custody to Izwan Abdullah, formerly known as N Viran.

"The High Court judgment on April 7 did not have any order that cancelled the syariah court order. Izwan believes that it is still in effect," said Shamsul Azhar Yahya, the secretary of the coalition of Islamic NGOs.

As such, Shamsul Azhar said, the claim that Izwan had "kidnapped" his son from the custody of his former wife, who is a Hindu, “is overboard”.

“Based on the facts, I think what has been said in the newspapers is not 100 percent true. Using the word 'kidnap' is not appropriate to describe Izwan’s action.

“However, most mainstream papers did state that both parties have court orders granting them custody,” Shamsul Azhar told a press conference in Seremban today.

Affidavit filed

He also said Izwan had filed an affidavit today with the High Court explaining why he had taken the son away.

"The affidavit is aimed to answer accusations and negative reports saying that Izwan had kidnapped the son," Shamsul Azhar said.

Izwan took the boy away from Deepa’s house in Jelebu two days after she was granted custody over their two children, injuring Deepa in the process.

Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association representative Hanif Hassan, who was also present at the press conference, said the federal and state governments should enact a stronger law to settle disputes like these.

However, Hanif did not elaborate on this particular case as it is still under the court process.

Aziz Bari: Fatwa Council has no legal standing

The National Fatwa Council has no legal standing as matters concerning Islam is a state affair, says constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari.

"The National Fatwa Council resolution has no legal standing as Islam is a matter for the states, and such a group has no constitutional status.

"This federal-state division of powers which put Islam in the hands of the states is maintained by the federal constitution," he said in a statement today.

As such, he stressed, whatever the council says about the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department's (Jais) raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia on Jan 2 has no effect, be it on Muslims or non-Muslims.

"Even opinions issued by the state muftis that are issued on a personal basis and not done in the procedure required by the law in that particular state, are not binding.

"They remain personal opinions of the muftis. They are different from the court decisions which form part of the country's law," Abdul Aziz (left) noted.

He also pointed out that there were inconsistencies of edicts in different states.

"Interestingly enough, there are issues in which muftis do not have similar rulings, such as smoking.

“Some rule it as haram (prohibited) while some others rule as makruh (disapproved)," he said.

He added that only provisions contained in the relevant state enactments would make them binding on Muslims in the state.

JAIS ada kuasa rampas Bible, kata persatuan ulama

JAIS tidak terletak di bawah pentadbiran kerajaan negeri, sebaliknya melapor terus kepada Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS) serta Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Oleh Qurnisha Hamka

PETALING JAYA: Tindakan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) menyita lebih 300 nashkah Bible dalam bahasa Melayu dan Iban dan membuat serbuan ke atas pejabat Persatuan Bible Malaysia pada Khamis memang di bawah bidang kuasa perundangan jabatan itu.

Menurut Presiden Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM), Datuk Syeikh Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir, JAIS mempunyai kuasa untuk melakukan serbuan di Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya itu dan tiada pihak perlu mempertikaikannnya.

“Itu memang bidang kuasa dia, dia boleh serbu dan dia boleh rampas. Jakim (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam) sendiri pun tidak ada kuasa sebegitu. Memang itu tanggungjawab JAIS, tiada pertikaian lagi,” tegas beliau kepada bnbbc.my.

Beliau turut menyatakan sokongan PUM terhadap tindakan JAIS.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai kenyataan Exco Agama Negeri Selangor, Sallehan Mukhyi bahawa kerajaan negeri itu tidak dimaklumkan berkenaan serbuan itu.

Menurut Syeikh Abdul Halim, isu itu tidak wajar dibangkitkan oleh Sallehan memandangkan struktur organisasi JAIS tidak terletak di bawah pentadbiran kerajaan negeri, sebaliknya melapor terus kepada Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS) serta Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Penguatkuasa JAIS pada Khamis bertindak merampas 321 nashkah Bible berkenaan, manakala pengerusi dan pengurus pejabat persatuan itu dibawa ke Balai Polis Damansara Utama untuk diambil keterangan.

Tindakan itu dipercayai berkaitan dengan penggunaan kalimah Allah dalam nashkah Bible Bahasa Melayu dan Iban yang diimport dari Indonesia oleh persatuan itu.

Pengarah JAIS, Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad minggu lalu berkata JAIS akan menghantar surat kepada semua gereja di Selangor untuk mengingatkan mereka agar mematuhi Enakmen 1988 mengenai Agama Bukan Islam di Selangor yang melarang orang bukan Muslim dari menggunakan kalimah Allah.

Enakmen 1988 yang menyentuh mengenai Kawalan Penyebaran Agama kepada Orang Muslim yang diluluskan pada tahun 1988, juga melarang orang bukan Muslim di Selangor menggunakan 35 perkataan Arab dan ungkapan dalam agama mereka, termasuk “Allah”, “Nabi”, “Injil” dan “Insya’Allah”.

JAIS seperti lanun, kata aktivis Sabah

"Perbuatan mereka samalah seperti lanun yang masuk ke kawasan orang lain dan merompak serta merampas harta orang lain,"kata Datuk Patrick Sindu.

KOTA KINABALU : Seorang pemimpin masyarakat dan hak asasi terkemuka dari Sabah menyifatkan tindakan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) menyerbu pejabat Kristian dan merampas lebih 300 Al-Kitab termasuk dalam Bahasa Iban di Selangor semalam sebagai tidak ubah seperti lanun yang merompak sesuka hati harta milik orang lain.

Datuk Patrick Sindu, ketika dihubungi FMT, berkata: “Perbuatan mereka samalah seperti lanun yang masuk ke kawasan orang lain dan merompak serta merampas harta orang lain”.

Katanya perbuatan JAIS mencampuri agama lain itu menghina dan melanggari perlembagaan dan sudah cukup melampaui batas oleh kerana premis agama lain pun kini mereka hendak menghendap, mengintip malah menyerbu sesuka hati.

“Kalau begini gaya mereka mungkin, tidak lama lagi jabatan-jabatan hal-ehwal islam di Malaysia seperti JAIS teringin pula mencuba memasuki dan memeriksa gereja-gereja dan rumah-rumah orang Kristian di negara ini,” kata Sindu.

Beliau mengulas tindakan sekumpulan pegawai JAIS yang diiringi polis menyerbu premis Pertubuhan Bible Malaysia (BSM) di Selangor kelmarin dan dikatakan bertindak agresif terhadap kakitangan pusat Kristian di situ yang mulanya enggan membenarkan mereka memasuki pejabat pertubuhan Kristian itu.

Menurut Sindu, JAIS tidak mungkin mempunyai waran berbuat demikian dan menggunakan dikri Sultan Selangor hanya mencemar lagi pertimbangan masyarakat, termasuk masyarakat dunia, terhadap Islam dan para pemimpinnya khususnya yang berada di Malaysia.

`Kesakitan hati’

“Kesakitan hati seseorang akibat tindakan sebegini tidak kita boleh nampak, dan ia akan simpan dalam hatinya sampai akhir hayatnya tetapi Allah yang maha kuasa juga yang nampak,” kata Sindu sambil menambah manusia bertopengkan syaitan semakin membahayakan masyarakat majmuk Malaysia dewasa ini.

“Kita tiada masalah seperti ini di Malaysia Timur. Mahukah mereka kalau orang lain bertindak kasar dan agresif terhadap mereka?” katanya sambil menambah lagi bahawa bukan Malaysia begini yang diingini oleh orang Sabah dan Sarawak.

Beliau juga menyeru Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, supaya mengotakan 10 perkara kabinetnya menghormati penganut Kristian dan agama selain Islam di negara ini dan jangan berdiam membisu seribu bahasa.

Tindakan kontroversi JAIS itu mengundang pelbagai komen masyarakat di Sabah dan Sarawak termasuk di laman-laman maya namun pihak gereja setakat ini belum lagi mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan.

Bagaimanapun, Bishop Paul Tan dari diosis Katolik Melaka-Johor, terus-terang membidas keras tindakan ala-Gestapo (polis rahsia Jerman di bawah Nazi) JAIS itu sambil menyatakan jabatan islam berkenaan tidak mempunyai hak mempersoal penganut Kristian di premis mereka sendiri.

“Serbuan JAIS semalam adalah sebahagian lagi bukti pihak-pihak berkuasa (di Malaysia) semakin cuba mengekang kebebasan penganut Kristian mengamalkan agama mereka seperti dijamin dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan,” katanya dipetik sebagai berkata.

Islam tidak ajar ganggu tempat ibadat agama lain, kata bekas Mufti

Bekas Mufti Perlis Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (gambar) menegaskan agama Islam tidak mengajar penganutnya untuk mengganggu tempat ibadat penganut agama lain.

Dr Mohd Asri, 42, yang dihubungi The Malaysian Insider bagi memberikan komen mengenai kontroversi serbuan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) serta rancangan berdemo di gereja Selangor, berkata walaupun semasa perang pun agama Islam melarang umatnya daripada menyentuh rumah ibadat.

"Dalam agama Islam, hatta dalam masa perang pun, orang yang sedang beribadat pun tidak boleh diganggu... inikan masa aman kenapa pula perlu diganggu?" kata Dr Mohd Asri.

Tengahari semalam, Jais menyerbu pejabat Persatuan Bible Malaysia (BSM) di Damansara Kim dan merampas kira-kira 320 Bible berbahasa Melayu dan Iban.

Dua pegawai BSM iaitu pengerusinya Lee Min Choon dan Sinclair Wong diarahkan ke Balai Polis Damansara untuk diambil keterangan mereka dan hanya dilepaskan dua jam kemudian.

Dalam pada itu, Umno Selangor juga telah mendesak Pengarang Herald, Paderi Lawrence Andrew, menarik balik kenyataannya yang tetap mahu menggunakan kalimah Allah di semua gereja di Selangor.

Umno Selangor juga merancang untuk mengadakan demonstrasi di hadapan pejabat Lawrence di Klang pada Ahad ini sekiranya tidak tunduk kepada desakan mereka.

Ketua Umno Shah Alam, Azhari Shaari berkata kenyataan paderi itu bertentangan dengan enakmen syariah negeri malah ia juga melanggar titah Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, yang melarang penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh orang bukan Islam di negeri itu.

Dr Mohd Asri menyifatkan rancangan tersebut bukanlah berlandaskan ajaran Islam bahkan tidak mengajar penganutnya menyentuh mana-mana rumah ibadat bukan Islam.

"Agama Islam tidak pernah ajar penganutnya berbuat perkara-perkara begini, tempat-tempat ibadat Islam ajar supaya tidak sentuh.

"Apa yang mereka lakukan tersebut bukan berlandaskan ajaran Islam," tambah Dr Mohd Asri lagi.

"Jangan sentuh tempat ibadat bukan Islam."

Dalam pada itu, Ahli Jawatankuasa PAS Pusat Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa juga menggesa Putrajaya halang badan Islam keruhkan hubungan antara agama susulan kontroversi terbaru yang tercetus di Selangor baru-baru ini.

Beliau menyeru kerajaan merujuk Majlis Perundingan Perpaduan Kebangsaan yang ditubuhkan Kabinet baru-baru ini, yang dijangka mengadakan mesyuarat mengenai kontroversi penggunaan kalimah Allah pada Isnin depan.

Mujahid, yang turut dilantik Putrajaya sebagai ahli panel majlis tersebut, berkata insiden hari ini perlu dibincang pada mesyuarat itu.

Jelas beliau, badan agama Islam tidak harus bertindak oleh kerana isu penggunaan kalimah Allah masih dibicarakan di mahkamah. – 3 Januari, 2014.

Differing views on Jais’ authority to raid

While one legal expert says it is not empowered to conduct a search with or without a warrant, another says anyone can be arrested when it is an offence under the 1988 enactment.

PETALING JAYA: Legal experts were mixed in their opinions on whether the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Jais) had the right to conduct a raid against the Bible Society of Malaysia.

Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee chairman Firdaus Husni said the Selangor’s administration of the religion of Islam only applies to offences committed by Muslims.

“In fact, the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988 does not at all empower Jais to conduct a search with or without warrant.

“Unless expressly provided, we should not read more than what is provided under the enactment,” she told FMT.

Jais yesterday raided the Bible Society and confiscated 16 boxes containing 320 Malay Bibles (Al-Kitab) and Iban language Bibles (Bup Kudus) which were largely purchased from Indonesia Subsequently Bible Society president Lee Min Choon, general-secretary Simon Wong and office manager Sinclair Wong were taken to the Damansara Utama police station to have statements recorded.

Lee claimed that Jais officials were harsh and had conducted the raid without a warrant.

Constitutional law expert Syahredzan Johan, on the other hand, cited Section 11 of the 1988 Enactment, where offences under the enactment were classified as seizable offences.

“As such, a person connected with the commission of such an offence may be arrested without a warrant,” said Syahredzan.

‘It’s a criminal act’

When asked on the position of a person who did not breach the enactment, he said: “Jais will just argue that there is reasonable suspicion to justify the arrest.”

Meanwhile, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) adviser Latheefa Koya said Jais did not even have the right to get a warrant in the first place.

“It’s impossible for them to get a warrant. On what basis will they get a warrant? The only way is when they are looking for a Muslim who has breached the enactment.

“As far as we are concerned, it was a criminal act. The Bible Society should lodge a police report and Jais should be pressed for charges,” said Latheefa.

She stressed that such incidents have to be put to a halt since they will only create more tension between religions.

“The raid is a manifestation of a bigger problem. I think it was part of a sinister agenda in the making,” she said.

She also called on the Selangor state government to define the power it wields over Jais.

“There is confusion if Jais falls under the jurisdiction of the federal or state government. Although it is technically under the Selangor government, it does not come under its directive,” she said.

Selangor exco Sallehan Mukhyi who holds the religious affairs portfolio told The Malay Mail Online that he was not informed of the raid and could not confirm if it was ordered by the Sultan or otherwise.

Jais raids Bible Society, Malay bibles seized

The Selangor Islamic Religious department officials carted away more than 320 copies of the Alkitab and 10 copies of the Iban language bible.
FULL REPORT

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Islamic Religious department (Jais) raided the Bible Society of Malaysia at 1.30pm and society chairman Lee Min Choon and general-secretary Simon Wong and office manager Sinclair Wong were taken to the Damansara Utama police station.

The trio are now waiting for the police to confirm the charges against them.
They confiscated 16 boxes of materials containing 320 Malay Bibles (Al-Kitab) and Iban language Bibles (Bup Kudus) which were largely purchased from Indonesia, cantering for Sabah and Sarawak Christians.

The new director of Jais Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad said last week it would soon issue letters to all churches in Selangor to remind them to obey a 1988 state enactment banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”.

The Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation among Muslims) Enactment 1988, passed by the then Barisan Nasional state government, prohibits non-Muslims in Selangor from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faith, including “Allah”, “Nabi” (prophet), “Injil” (gospel) and “Insya’Allah” (God willing). – January 2, 2014.

Bible Society of Malaysia chairman Lee Min Choon claimed that the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) were harsh and conducted a raid without a warrant .

“We are waiting to be bailed out. A total of 16 Jais officers and two police constables came to our office at 1.30pm. They were harsh in their conduct and only showed us their identification cards.

“They did not even produce a warrant,” said Lee who was met at Damansara Police Station this afternoon along with the society’s general secretary Reverand Simon Wong and office manager Sinclair Wong.

Lee told reporters that JAIS officials were looking for materials containing the word ‘Allah’.

Lee said JAIS officials told him that they were acting in accordance with the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

The enactment prohibits non-Muslims in Selangor from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faith, including “Allah”, “Nabi” (prophet), “Injil” (gospel) and “Insya’Allah” (God willing).

He also said that JAIS called him to assist them in their investigations next Friday to which he agreed.

Lee and Simon was subsequently released after Sinclair posted an oral bail.

“Whether we are to be charged or not we do not know,” Lee added.

On that note he also called for the “Christian community to be calm and Muslims to be understanding”.

He also admitted that the raid would ignite further “sparks over the Allah controversy”.

DAP representatives also arrived at the Damansara police station, a short while later.

PJ Utara MP Tony Pua told the press that he would be raising the issue in Parliament at its next sitting in March..

“It is a clear trespass against freedom of religion. Every religion has the right to be managed on its own. Jais should apologise for the raid,” he said.

“This (raid) action was done by a group of overzealous and misguided group of people who failed to respect the rights of the others,” he added.

Stampin MP Julian Tan from Sarawak told the press that Sarawakians were watching over these developments.

“Over forty percent of Sarawakians are Christians and we are observing these developments. It is against (nurturing) harmony among the people,” he said.

Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming admitted having two copies of the Al-Kitab. I hope JAIS won’t raid my home and the houses of other Christians who have an Al-Kitab.

He added reporters that there were 100,000 Al-Kitab users from East Malaysia in Klang Valley and Johor Bahru and another 50,000 in Penang.

Damansara Utama assemblywoman Yeo Bee Yin meanwhile said that there there is a pressing need to remove the exclusivity of the Allah term if Malaysians were to move forward.

Jais urged to act against Christians using ‘Allah’ behind closed-doors

(MM) – Two Malay-Muslim activist groups have demanded action against a Christian group for allegedly calling God in a non-Islamic context at a closed-door gathering in Klang yesterday, claiming such usage violated the Selangor sultan’s decree, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

Pertubuhan Ikatan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Selangor (IKDDAS) and Selangor Perkasa pushed the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to investigate the Christian gathering as they insisted the organisers had broken the state law even though several lawyers had previously disputed the Selangor Ruler’s decree is legally binding on non-Muslims.

“From the legal perspective, it is clear that the use of the word ‘Allah’ is forbidden to non-Muslims,” IKDDAS president Rosdi Long was quoted as saying.

To back his argument, he cited Section 9 of the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988.

“If it is true that the organiser used the holy word in a non-Muslim programme, Jais should not hesitate to take action against those who were involved,” he added.

In an insubstantiated report today, the Umno-controlled newspaper claimed that the International Full Gospel Fellowship held a closed-door function at an unnamed hotel in the Selangor royal town yesterday, where the Christian group purportedly sang songs containing the word “Allah”.

Utusan Malaysia further reported that a board in the hotel hall informing of the gathering had featured the words: “International Full Gospel Fellowship: Keluarga Allah Satelit Nilai dan Satelit Puchong, ‘Dari dalam gelap akan terbit terang’”. The English translation reads: “God’s family, Nilai and Puchong satellites, ‘Light will shine strong from the darkness’”.

Selangor Perkasa chief Abu Bakar Yahya reportedly said that it was not right for non-Muslims to refer to God as “Allah”, citing the Selangor Sultan’s decree on the matter.

Putrajaya, however, has said that the ban on the Arabic word is only restricted to the Catholic weekly, the Herald, following the Court of Appeal ruling in October that upheld the Home Ministry’s ban on “Allah” in the Catholic Church’s internal newsletter.

The Catholic Church has said it will continue its legal fight for the “Allah” word to the Federal Court in its persistance to safeguard its religious freedom as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

The Selangor Sultan renewed his decree last month that the Arabic word for God be barred to non-Muslims in the country’s most developed state, including in the Malay-language Christian bible, the Al-Kitab, and in the Herald.

Nizam Bashir, who is both a constitutional and syariah lawyer, told The Malay Mail Online last month that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s decree, which impinges on non-Muslims’ right to freedom of expression relating to their god, was unconstitutional as Article 10 (2) of the Federal Constitution states that only Parliament can restrict such freedoms.

Local Islamic authorities have argued that use of “Allah” in a non-Islamic context will confuse Malaysian Muslims.

Marriage between Muslim and non-Muslim illegal, says Jakim

(Bernama) - Any marriage between a Muslim and a non-Muslim is disallowed and is not recognized in this country and action can be taken by the state Islamic religious authorities, said Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha.

He said Islamic family laws state no Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman and no Muslim woman can marry a non-Muslim man.

“A marriage between spouses of different religions is completed prohibited and against the principle of beliefs of the Shafie sect (Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah) in Malaysia,” he said in a statement here today.

He was commenting on a Universiti Malaya study on the issue of liberalism in Muslim marriages with non-Muslim spouses not having to convert from their religions.

Two days ago, Universiti Malaya Academy of Islamic Studies, Department of Akidah and Islamic Thought Associate Prof Dr Khadijah Hambali told religious authorities in the country to carry out specific measures to curb the phenomenon.

PM Abdullah urges Islamic teachers to be more understanding

(Channel News Asia, 2007) - Mr Abdullah says: "This is not something that cannot be done. It has happened before. Those who have decided to leave the religion for some reason, they don't want to be Muslims anymore, what can you do? If they want to leave the religion, what are you going to do?"

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has called on the country's religious departments to listen to the problems raised by those wanting to renounce Islam and find a solution for them.

He was speaking to reporters after opening an Islamic conference in Putrajaya on Monday.

The Malaysian leader has urged Islamic teachers to be more understanding and provide a listening ear to those who want to leave the religion.

He made this point when speaking to reporters after opening an Islamic conference in Putrajaya.

Mr Abdullah says: "I have always said to the religious officers that they must listen to what their grouses are. Is it that they are disappointed with certain things that happened and because of that they want to leave the religion of Islam?"

Asked about the growing number of religious disputes dominating news headlines, he clarified that Muslims can leave the religion but they must first bring the matter to the state religious authorities.

Mr Abdullah says: "This is not something that cannot be done. It has happened before. Those who have decided to leave the religion for some reason, they don't want to be Muslims anymore, what can you do? If they want to leave the religion, what are you going to do?"

But he stressed that religious officers must offer counselling and find out what was behind the intention to renounce Islam.

Under Malaysia's Syariah law, it is the duty of religious authorities to determine whether a Muslim should be allowed to leave the religion or not.

Just last week, a 29-year-old Indian woman, who wanted to renounce Islam, was released from a rehabilitation centre run by the state's Islamic religious authorities.

Revathi, also known as Siti Fatimah, was born to Hindu parents who later converted to Islam.

She was separated from her Hindu husband and 18-month-old daughter for six months and claimed to have been ill-treated.

She says: "It was a waste of time. I was detained and tortured in there. I was separated from my husband and my child. I am not satisfied at all!"

Since she's out of the rehabilitation centre, the civil court has decided that it has no jurisdiction to hear her plight given she is no longer under any form of actual detention.

Revathi's fate now lies with the Syariah court.

Revathi is known as the Indian Lina Joy.

Lina Joy, who was born a Malay Muslim, earlier failed in her bid to renounce Islam and be officially recognised as a Christian, despite appealing to the country's highest court.

Their cases have attracted much public sympathy in Malaysia's multi-racial and multi-religious society.

Muslim community marks beginning of the legal year

Law Society Journal

First published in Law Society Journal, March 2012 Vol 50 No. 2

Arabic recitations from the Koran solemnised the first Muslim Opening of Law Term Service in NSW, which was hosted by the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque in early February. In the colonnaded courtyard alongside the mosque’s great dome, Mehmet Ozlap welcomed a large gathering of judges, solicitors and barristers, including Attorney General Greg Smith, Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, Law Society President Justin Dowd, and Muslim Legal Network president Zaid Khan.

Imam Haisam Farache, a practising solicitor and member of the Law Society, spoke to the gathering of the many similarities between Islamic law and the common law, and of the law’s long tradition in Islamic society and the central role it plays in maintaining peace.

In his address to the service, Justin Dowd recalled that the practice of holding religious services in conjunction with the Opening of a Law Term dates back to Catholic France.

“The first such recorded service occurred in 1245,” he said. “At that time in history, we have to acknowledge, there were serious tensions between the Muslim and the Christian worlds. The seventh crusade, led by King Louis IX of France, commenced in the Middle East in that year.

“While there remain significant tensions in the world today, this ceremony is testament to the ability and willingnes of people of goodwill to share traditions, to build bridges and to work together for a better society. This very mosque, named as the Gallipoli Mosque, recalls the battle in April 1915 between the Turkish forces and the many Australian and NZ forces.

“The great Turkish leader, Ataturk, in 1934, famously and most graciously wrote a tribute to the ANZACs killed at Gallipoli: ‘Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives ... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.  After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.’

“Today we are here to celebrate the start of the law year.  In doing so, we celebrate the things we have in common, while recognising and acknowledging and embracing our differences.

“One of the talking points now and for the future will be the intersection of Australian civil law and Sharia. These will be opportunities for us to meet and to understand each other better and to work, within the legal frameworks, to a better society.”

Other services to mark the beginning of the legal year were held at St Mary’s Cathedral, St James Church, the Great Synagogue, St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Parramatta and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.