Interfaith group to meet ministers on Friday over Jakim officers' placement

Ministers Aaron Ago Dagang and Mohd Na’im Mokhtar will meet with representatives of an interfaith group this Friday, to clear the air on the recent controversy surrounding the placement of religious officers in government departments.

This comes after the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) objected to the move, which government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said had caused a misunderstanding.

MCCBCHST president Tan Hoe Chieow said representatives from five religions that comprise the group will be present at the meeting with Aaron (above, left) and Na’im, who are the national unity minister and minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs), respectively.

“The prime minister directed both ministers to meet MCCBCHST leadership on Friday, so wait for the outcome of the meeting.

“I will be overseas but all five religions will be represented,” Tan said in a text message.

Malaysiakini contacted him for a response following statements by Fahmi and Na’im regarding the issue yesterday.

During a press conference yesterday, Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said there were no fresh placements of Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officers in government departments.

According to Fahmi, Jakim addressed the issue in a podcast on Aug 7 but MCCBCHST later issued a new statement and “created a situation which we consider to be a misunderstanding”.

Na’im also clarified that placing Jakim officers in every government department is not for policy-making purposes.

The officers’ roles are limited to organising Islamic programmes, Na’im was reported as saying by The Star.

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