PARLIAMENT | Malaysia is ranked "very comfortably" in terms of the Malaysian Syariah Index (ISM), a yardstick that measures effectiveness in implementing national development based on the "maqasid syariah" principle, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

During the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) had questioned the effectiveness of the wasatiyyah (moderation) concept, for which the government claims credit.

However, at the same time, several controversies had happened, Azmin said.

These include recent contentious incidents such as the headscarf ban at a hotel front desk in Penang, controversial preachers Zakir Naik and Zamihan Mat Zin and the Muslim-only launderette in Johor...