Get Perak Sultan's Consent Before Issuing Statement On Religious Matter - Raja Nazrin

(Bernama) The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Tuesday reminded the Menteri Besar, state executive councillors and the state Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jaip) director not to make any statement on an Islamic religious issue without obtaining the consent of the Perak Sultan, Sultan Azlan Shah.

Raja Nazrin said any Islamic religious matter must first be referred to him (Raja Nazrin) as the head of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIAMP) and then presented to the Perak Sultan for consent before any statement could be issued on the matter.

The Raja Muda also reminded the Menteri Besar, the state Religious, Islamic Education, Women and Welfare Committee chairman, and Jaip director and staff to first refer to MAIAMP any matter which comes under the jurisdiction of the Perak Sultan, to be presented to the Sultan for consent before any public or media statement could be issued on the matter.

Raja Nazrin also stressed that besides the fatwa (edicts) issued by the National Fatwa Council, the initial process of considering, deciding on and issuing any fatwa must also be referred to the Conference of Malay Rulers for consent.

"What is happening now is that there is another forum known as the Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa (Fatwa Consultative Committee), which had directly made an annnouncement on a fatwa without first referring it to the Conference of Rulers. This situation, if not corrected, can cause confusion among Muslims," he said at the 164th Conference of MAIAMP, here, Tuesday.

At the same time, Raja Nazrin said, it must also be reminded that the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) did not have the legal power to give administrative directives to any state Islamic religious administration.

"To maintain harmonious relations, it is important that the jurisdiction of the respective religious committees and departments, as well as the position, power, privileges and sovereignty of the Malay Rulers as provided for in the Federal and State constitutions be understood and respected," he said.

Raja Nazrin also said that mosques' administration with regards to finance and carrying out activities that could educate the people and promote unity and harmony, was measured for their ability to initiate innovative and creative programmes and in ensuring that the mosques were free of deviating sermons and partisan politics that could divide the people.

To avoid unwanted activities at mosques, Raja Nazrin asked that the territorial chiefs (Orang Besar Jajahan), district religious authorities, penghulu and police monitor the mosque activities, including the contents of sermons and talks, in their respective areas and submit weekly reports upon discovering such activities taking place.