Writers refute they were advised by Jakim
Sisters in Islam executive director Zainah Anwar and writer Kassim Ahmad today denied they had been summoned by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) over complaints lodged against them for allegedly insulting Islam in their writings.
The two writers said they had met with Jakim officials on other matters but not specifically in connection to the complaint against them by the Malaysian Muslim Scholars Association (PUM).
Yesterday, parliamentary secretary in the Prime Ministers Department Noh Omar said several controversial writers including Zainah, Kassim and malaysiakini and New Straits Times columnist Dr Farish A Noor, had been called up in turns and given verbal advice and warnings to stop writing outside of permissible limits.
When asked today, Zainah said, No. I have had regular meetings with Jakim on other Islamic matters but not on this issue.
The institutions in the country should recognise our right to speak on issues of national importance. There is no reason to reprimand us, she added.
Kassim said he knew nothing about Jakims supposed meeting with him over his writings and the remark made in Parliament yesterday could be a routine Parliament answer.
Dailies reined in
Noh, who was answering a question by Dr Syed Azman Syed Nawawi (PAS-Kuala Terengganu), had also said publishers of the New Straits Times, Utusan Malaysia and The Sun dailies had been called up, too.
However, when contacted today, newly appointed Sun editor-in-chief Zainon Ahmad said he did not know anything about the matter.
NST and Utusan Malaysia spokespersons were not reachable for comment.
Writer Farish was also unavailable for comment.
Last January, PUM submitted a memorandum to Jakim urging for action to be taken against several individuals for allegedly making remarks that were offensive to Islam. A similar memorandum was sent to the Conference of Rulers in February this year.
The matter, which has been hotly pursued by the ulama , has since been referred by the Conference of Rulers to the National Council for Islamic Affairs for deliberations which are expected to take place on April 8.
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