LETTER | MCCBCHST lauds fruitful dialogue with ministers

LETTER | The representatives of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) met with Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and National Unity MInister Aaron Ago Dagang on Sept 18 at 4PM at the Jakim headquarters in Putrajaya.

Na’im briefed MCCBCHST delegates on the role of the Jakim officers placed at government departments and ministries which purportedly included management, human development, rehabilitation, safety and prevention, based on the needs of the departments.

At the meeting, MCCBCHST again expressed its concerns that Jakim officers placed in government departments may influence policy development and decisions to align with Islamic principles and thus may affect the rights of non-Muslims.

It further stated that such a role in policy development and decisions would be outside the scope of the constitutional role of Islam. Any decision to be lawful must be intra vires of the Federal Constitution.

Na’im then assured MCCBCHST that Jakim officers would not be involved in policy matters. It was agreed in the meeting that the matter of placement of Jakim officers could be further discussed at the Religious Issues Management and Mediation Bureau, which falls under the Harmony Committee. The meeting was very cordial throughout and conducted in a harmonious atmosphere.

MCCBCHST thanks the ministers for initiating the meeting, which resulted in a fruitful dialogue.

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