Stop debating halal status of vaccines, minister tells anti-vaxxers
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa has urged all parties to stop debating the halal status of vaccines in light of a growing local anti-vaccine movement, which most recently claimed the life of a toddler.
"As far as my ministry is concerned, we have referred the matter to the Federal Territories Mufti Department, which has issued a national fatwa.
"Vaccines produced in this country are halal, not haram...
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa has urged all parties to stop debating the halal status of vaccines in light of a growing local anti-vaccine movement, which most recently claimed the life of a toddler.
"As far as my ministry is concerned, we have referred the matter to the Federal Territories Mufti Department, which has issued a national fatwa.
"Vaccines produced in this country are halal, not haram, and have been approved," Mujahid told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year event hosted by the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association in Subang Jaya.
"So the issue (of haram vaccine) does not arise. Parties continuing to debate this should stop, because it has a direct effect on a child's immunity growing up."
Mujahid also noted that Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had previously raised the issue of making immunisation mandatory for all children.
He added that his ministry, through the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), will continue adhering to the national fatwa.
The fatwa states that vaccination is a must (harus), and could be mandatory (wajib) in cases where there would otherwise be clear risks to a child's health.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (photo) confirmed yesterday that a 25-month-old boy died two days ago in Johor Bahru due to diphtheria, which is preventable through vaccination.
Hisham said the child had not been immunised since birth, and had begun to develop fever, cough and swollen tonsils on Feb 16.
'Support efforts to locate Indira's husband, daughter'
On a separate matter, Mujahid also said he is in support of police efforts to locate M Indira Gandhi's fugitive ex-husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, who left with her then-infant daughter Prasana Diksa in 2009.
After undergoing a lengthy custody battle, Indira is seeking to be reunited with her missing daughter.
Mujahid stressed that the act of kidnapping and hiding a child without ensuring their welfare must not be done in the name of Islam.
"We will support the police to ensure that this matter can be resolved in the best manner possible.
"This is the result of having unilateral conversion laws," he said, adding that there is a need to look into related laws to avoid such incidents from reoccurring in the future.
The Federal Court in unanimously declared in January last year that Ridhuan's unilateral conversion of Prasana and her two older siblings – who are currently in Indira's custody – was unlawful.
Yesterday, the Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat) yesterday announced an RM10,000 reward to anyone with information on Riduan's whereabouts.
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