Sultan Ibrahim continues his criticisms of Jakim officer

PETALING JAYA: Legal activist Siti Zabedah Kassim today applauded the Sultan of Johor's decision that the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ) cut all ties with Jakim.
"We need people in their position to go against extremists. The extremists are not preachers or Islam per se, however, there are some who are one-sided.
"The Conference of Rulers' recent statement is also a good start because Islam is headed by the Sultan and he is in charge of running the religious authorities," she said.
The Sultan of Johor, had recently ordered JAIJ to stop dealing with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
He did this in response to preacher, Zamihan Mat Zin, a Jakim officer, who allegedly criticised the ruler over the Muslim-friendly launderette issue during a religious talk in Selangor recently.
Sultan Ibrahim, in a decree, ordered the Muslim-only launderette in Muar to cease its discriminatory business practice after it received waves of criticism on social media.
In a video uploaded to Youtube, Zamihan, who did not name anyone, allegedly said it was not right for the Sultan, as the head of Islam in the state, to issue such a decree.
After the video went viral, Zamihan subsequently denied criticising the Johor ruler, but had apologised to him.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) vice-president Jagir Singh echoed Siti's sentiments, saying that according to the Rukun Negara, all are to live in harmony and should not divide the people with religious sentiment.
He added that Islam is a state religion which is to be respected.
His Majesty on Saturday, said several mufti and Islamic scholars have given their views on the issue of the launderette in Muar.
"Unfortunately, Zamihan has criticised me and undermined the views of the mufti and scholars. The way he said it was also arrogant, as if only he is (in the) right.
"If it is true that he is a Jakim officer, then I don't know where Jakim found him because for me, he is like an empty can and brainless.
"When he was condemned on the matter, he denied saying those things," said Sultan Ibrahim.
In his speech at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia's 17th convocation ceremony on Saturday, the Sultan said those who cannot live harmoniously in society should live in a cave.
He pointed out that such overzealous constraints would make living in a community impossible.
"When banknotes may have been held by a pork seller or alcohol seller, does the Government have to make Muslims-only money?"
He also reminded all quarters that matters relating to Islam fall under the jurisdiction of the states, as written in the Federation of Malaysia agreement.
"Do not let the mistake of one individual to damage the agreement that has been in force for years. Like the Malay proverb which says, 'Jangan kerana nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga'," said Sultan Ibrahim.
Zamihan, who also serves as Malaysia Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah Organisation (Aswaja) president, was arrested by police on Oct 11 for investigations under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948.
Jakim's director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha responded that both Jakim and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, will seek an audience with the Sultan to resolve the issue which involved one of its officers who is claimed to have criticised his decree.
In Johor Baru, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said he would also be seeking an audience with His Majesty further advice on the issue.