Raja Petra to undergo religious rehabilitation

PUTRAJAYA: Internal Security Act detainee Raja Petra Kamaruddin will have to undergo religious rehabilitation at the Kamunting Detention Centre.

Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz says Jakim is working with the police on the programme

Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the programme was aimed at enabling the faster release of Muslim detainees.

He said Jakim was working closely with the police in carrying out the programme.

"We look forward to the speedier release of detainees after undergoing religious rehabilitation."

Raja Petra, the Malaysia Today editor, was detained under Section 8 (1) of the ISA on Tuesday for writing articles that were considered to have maligned Islam and were malicious and seditious.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar had said after the blogger's detention that his articles may have aroused anger among Muslims.

Speaking after the department's monthly gathering, Wan Mohamad Sheikh said cooperation with the police would be intensified to make the programme more effective.

On the warning by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department to anyone protesting over the use of loudspeakers for the azan (call for prayer) at mosques, Wan Mohamad Sheikh said people should remember the position of Islam in the Federal Constitution as the country's official religion.

"Whatever actions they want to take must be in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution. Together with the relevant authorities such as the Home Ministry, we can take action against those who delve into the sensitivity of Muslims based on the laws.

"If this issue arose due to a misunderstanding, then we should adopt a harmonious approach in addressing it."

Selangor Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi was reported to have directed nazir (mosque official) and mosque committees in Selangor to continue with the practice of using loudspeakers.

- nst