Is the Selangor MB in control of JAIS? More evasions by Khalid and PR when what we need is real leadership..

It is really pathetic when we see that Khalid Ibrahim, the Selangor Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) is asking (nay...ordering) the Selangor Islamic Department(JAIS) to now consult Prime Minister Najib's Home Minister to see if what JAIS did was inconsistent with the BN Federal government's 'ten-point solution' (which really is a policy rather than a law). 

This really is nothing but an evasion of the duties and responsibilities of leadership - Khalid Ibrahim is the Menteri Besar of Selangor, and Selangor is governed by 'Pakatan Rakyat' and as such the 'problem' and the solution is yours - not Najib, not BN, not the Federal Government, not the National Fatwa Council...Anwar, Mahfuz, PR and Selangor govt evasion of responsibility ... on 'Allah' issue in Selangor is pathetic?

Further, Khalid Ibrahim should really be soliciting legal opinions rather than consulting the Home Minister or officials in that Ministry of the BN ruled government -  The biggest problem confronting Khalid Ibrahim personally is that 'Last January, Khalid had publicly stated that his administration supports the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988 and the Sultan's decree that the term "Allah" cannot be used in the state by non-Muslims.' , and this was contrary to Pakatan Rakyat's position taken in 2008, and reaffirmed before GE13 - i.e. that Muslims cannot claim exclusive right to the usage of the term 'Allah', and that Christians, Sikhs and others can use the term (This is PR position on the subject according to my opinion). Now, clearly the majority of Malaysians is OK with this position, this includes Muslims. PR, with this position has the support of the majority in Malaysia in terms of votes in GE13.

 

MB orders Jais to consult Home Ministry

 

The Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) will be ordered to return copies of the Bible that they seized on Jan 1, if the publication fulfils Putrajaya's 10-point solution on Christian texts.

 

This was announced by Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim after a marathon eight hour meeting with his state exco members.

 

He said that for now, Jais will have to consult the Home Ministry on whether the Bibles seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) fulfils the stipulations within the 10-point solution.

 

Khalid explained that this was necessary as the Home Ministry is the regulator for the import, use and printing of Bibles in the Malay language.

"If the Home Ministry is satisfied that the (seized) copies fulfil the 10-point solution, then the state government will order Jais to return them to the BSM," he said during a press conference today.

Khalid added that Selangor will continue to ensure that the Sultan's decree and laws are upheld, while ensuring that everyone in Selangor lives in harmony.

 

"The state government respects religious freedom that is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and will step up efforts to ensure mutual respect among citizens, while ensuring that Islam is the official religion (of the federation) and recognise the Sultan of Selangor as the head of Islam in the state," he said.

 

Last January, Khalid had publicly stated that his administration supports the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988 and the Sultan's decree that the term "Allah" cannot be used in the state by non-Muslims.- Malaysiakini, 8/1/2014, MB orders Jais to consult Home Ministry

 

Prime Minister Najib and the Federal government already do have a policy - this 'ten point solution', so really to be fair, they need not respond at all... The Herald case really is confined as to whether Herald can use the word 'Allah' in its weekly newspaper, now distributed to Catholics/Christians in Malaysia? Other comments of the Court of Appeal judges, to my mind is irrelevant.

Mahathir, when Prime Minister, carried out Constitutional amendments that placed 'real power' in the democratically elected government, maybe it is also time for Selangor(and the other States) to do the same... 

The Menteri Besar and the democratically elected government must have control of all State Departments including JAIS, and they alone will be responsible for actions/omissions of JAIS.. 

Now, the other problem in Selangor is that there are still bad State laws, which are inconsistent with the Pakatan Rakyat position - the question is that why was it not amended? 

I say that the section/provision in the law that provides a list of words that can only be used by Muslims should be repealed - in line with the PR position. 

Then, the powers of JAIS must be confined - the Islamic Department should never have powers to enter places of worship or premises of other religious groups, and certainly no power to arrest or cease materials....from premises of non-Muslims

The Federal Constitution now just says no proselytization of Muslims, and enforcement should be done by the police or by some 'multi-religious enforcement body' - not a just Muslim department. 

What else should be done? We should seriously think about this.

In the meantime, Khalid Ibrahim (the Menteri Besar of Selangor), and Pakatan Rakyat need to show real leadership NOW....and not delay this any further...