The newly-appointed director of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) has agreed to inform the state government before acting on sensitive matters in the future.

Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad’s first statement after his appointment today contrasted with the state Islamic Council (Mais) chairperson Adzib Mohd Isa, who had previously rejected the new standard operating procedures (SOP). The new SOP was given to the Jais by the Selangor executive committee (exco) after it took away copies of the Malay-language Bible from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) on Jan 2, and sparked a controversy.

“We will follow, no problem. The SOP is actually more or less the same. We just have to inform the (state) government,” Ahmad Zaharin ( left in photo ) told reporters.

He was met by the media after his appointment ceremony at the Bukit Kayangan Palace in Shah Alam today.

Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had said last week that Jais needs to consult the state exco before taking any action that may be deemed sensitive. This is to avoid a miscommunication as had happened in the BSM incident.

Ahmad Zaharin however refused to divulge what Jais would do with the 321 copies of the Al-Kitab and Iban Bible in its hands. He said that the case was still under investigation but agreed that he would consult the Home Ministry on the matter.

“If we bring the case to trial, you (reporters) will know. Even if we don’t, you will know, too. This matter is still under investigation, we can’t disturb that process,” he said.

Besides Ahmad Zaharin, state law adviser Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman, who started his duties on Jan 2, was also sworn in as a member of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais).