The Penang government should get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before implementing the election-like system in electing mosque committee members throughout the state.

NONE Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom ( left ) said this was because under the federal constitution, all Islamic affairs in the states ruled by appointed governors (Yang Di-Pertua Negeri), were under the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"The decision, which is made in haste and without the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, will create disharmony among the Muslims, especially in mosques," the minister told reporters in Yan today.

"I'm looking at the issue from a constitutional perspective and it clearly shows as if the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is being challenged," he said.

On June 6, the DAP-led Penang government announced that they had decided to adopt the mosque election system and that the proposal had been agreed upon by various parties including the Islamic Religious Department and Penang Islamic Religious Council.

- Bernama