Look at its track record before making sweeping statements, says the Muslim Professionals Forum adviser.The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) may have its weaknesses but this should not negate the good work it has done, says Muslim Professionals Forum adviser Maszlee Malik.

Maszlee said this in response to Tawfik Ismail, the eldest son of former deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, who called for the abolition of Jakim.

Maszlee said "sweeping statements" should not be made against Jakim without looking at the department's track record.

"Jakim had made significant contribution in the halal food industry, at both the local and international levels, on top of its efforts in spreading and expanding Islam," he said in a statement.

Maszlee ( photo ), who is a political analyst attached with International Islamic University Malaysia, suggested that Tawfik gains a deeper understanding of his own religion.

However, Maszlee acknowledged that Jakim must overcome its weaknesses in governance, research and public relations.

"It needs a more inclusive approach by involving more quarters so that Jakim will be more grounded (in reality)," he said.

He added the department also needed to avoid preachers who make unsavoury sermons as these hurt Jakim's image.

Meanwhile, constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari said Tawfik had made a "good point" based on constitutional grounds.

He pointed out the White Paper on the changes made to the constitutional draft prepared by the Reid Commission had said religious departments could be set up but they must come under the authority of the rulers and not the prime minister or sitting government.

'Propaganda machinery for PM'

"The practice has been that Jakim is the propaganda machinery for the sitting prime minister.

"Thus, during (former prime minister) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's (time), Jakim propagated Islam Hadhari but stopped when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak came to office," Aziz ( photo ) said.

He pointed out that Jakim came into being under former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's time and was, during the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman's time, a religious division under the Prime Minister's Department .

Likewise, Aziz said the National Fatwa Council too has no constitutional basis as religion is a state matter.

"We have seen that, practically, this agency issues views that are in line with the political priorities of the sitting prime minister," he said.

Ultimately, Aziz said, it was up to the rulers to assert their authority and leadership in these areas that are meant to be their prerogative.

"I think it is the weaknesses and the inability of the rulers to do that, which has led to the usurpation of powers starting during Tunku’s administration, almost immediately after Independence," he said.