Three weeks after the alleged raid on a charity dinner at a hall in the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) compound by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim will meet Jais as well as the event's organiser welfare NGO Harapan Komuniti.

Khalid announced this after chairing a state exco meeting this afternoon.

Khalid confirmed this when quizzed by reporters at a press conference after chairing the  state exco meeting this afternoon.

“The Hearing Working Group which comprises of myself, the Mufti and his deputy will be meeting with both Jais and Harapan Komuniti tomorrow at the state secretariat,” said Khalid.

He explained that the meeting will take place from 12pm, with both groups to meet the trio separately in two one-hour sessions.

After which, the MB added, the body will discuss and deliberate on the “explanations” from both parties before coming up with its findings.

Khalid said that at such a time when the working group is done with its discussions, a finding will be delivered to the sultan.

Asked about a timeline, he refused to set a final date, saying that they will have to deliberate on the explanations and if necessary summon additional hearings or parties to lay clear the matter.

Quizzed on Jais’ own investigation into the matter and if this conflicts with the working group, Khalid downplayed the concerns, saying that they will also look at the Islamic department’s report as well as Harapan Komuniti to get to the bottom of the issue.

However, he said that Jais will not be reporting direct to the sultan on the matter but will only relay its final report through the working group.

Earlier, sources from the MB's office and Harapan Komuniti confirmed with Malaysiakini that the meeting would be held at Khalid's office in Shah Alam tomorrow as part of the syura (consultative) council initiative, which has now be renamed a ‘hearing working group’ after objections from the Selangor sultan yesterday.

      

NONE The three-member committee include state mufti Tamyes Abdul Wahid, his deputy Abdul Majid Omar and Khalid ( left ) himself.

Harapan Komuniti had said in a press statement that the dinner at DUMC's premises was to raise finds for the needy, downtrodden, children, women and people living with HIV and AIDS.

It was attended by donors, friends and beneficiaries of the NGO. About 120 people, from various backgrounds, attended the dinner, where the meal was catered by Muslims, followed by live performances, a 1Malaysia dance, a quiz and personal experience sharing by individuals.

Controversy over MB’s consultative council

However, Jais has denied that it raided the dinner, but merely mounted an ‘inspection visit’ to question a dozen Muslims who attended the event on suspicion that they were being proselytised.

On Monday, the Selangor state government announced that it would set up a consultative council to “resolve” the controversy.

"The idea to form this syura council came from the Selangor sultan when we had a discussion over the matter last week. I appreciate His Highness' advice regarding how best to resolve this matter satisfactorily,” Khalid said in a statement.

However, the sultan yesterday expressed shock over the announcement and said he did not sanction the formation of the council.

Following this, the Selangor government has renamed it a ‘hearing working group’.

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