Jakim officer placement: Address issues via bureau - ministry

A meeting between the government and a non-Muslim religious umbrella organisation has concluded, with a resolution that future concerns will be channelled through a mediation bureau.

The meeting was held following recent concerns about the placement of Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officers in government departments.

The Harmony Committee, under the National Unity Ministry, met with the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST) today at 4pm.

Following the two-hour meeting, the ministry, in a statement, said the religious leaders agreed to use the committee’s Issue Management and Mediation Bureau in the future.

“National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang urged all religious leaders and representatives in the country to make optimal use of the bureau to discuss sensitive issues concerning religious devotees, ensuring that solutions can be found harmoniously,” it said.

The meeting in Putrajaya was attended by Aaron and his deputy, K Saraswathy, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, and representatives from MCCBCHST, including its president, Tan Hoe Chieow.

The Harmony Committee is co-chaired by Aaron and Mohd Na’im, and its membership includes representatives from the National Unity Ministry, Jakim, and the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim), along with 10 Muslim members and 15 representatives from non-Islamic faiths.

The meeting, initially scheduled for Sept 6, was postponed.

Just a misunderstanding

Concerns raised previously included that Jakim’s role in shaping government policies might exceed its jurisdiction and affect the rights of all Malaysians.

Placing Jakim officers in government departments was also said to possibly undermine constitutional protections and infringe on fundamental rights outlined in Articles 5 to 13 of the Constitution.

However, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil pointed out that Jakim had addressed the issue on Aug 7, before MCCBCHST’s statement on Sept 2.

Jakim had denied a claim that the placement of its officers did not happen in previous administrations and that the placements began in 1982 for offices in the UK and Indonesia.

Fahmi also said no new appointments of Jakim officers had been made in government departments, adding that the issue was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Understanding Jakim, its inception and powers

Jakim Kader officers

Elaborating, the National Unity Ministry said the meeting also explained the role of Jakim Kader officers, clarifying that their responsibilities are confined to Islamic affairs and do not extend to policy formulation or decision-making in ministries or departments.

The statement noted that Jakim Kader officers, appointed since 2006, are based on positions approved by the Public Service Department (JPA) at the request of ministries, departments, or government agencies, solely for managing Islamic affairs.

“Currently, there are 1,250 Jakim Kader officers, and no new positions have been created under the unity government’s leadership,” the ministry said.

It explained that the officers’ duties are limited to specific functions such as:

1. Human Development: (Soft Skills, Guidance on Fardu Ain, and Fardu Kifayah)

2. Security: (Religious Classes, Strengthening of Faith, Combating Extremist Beliefs)

3. Prevention: (Religious Guidance and Advice, Quran & Fardu Ain Classes, Islamic Psychospiritual Support, Human Development)

KINIGUIDE | Understanding Jakim, its inception and powers

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