LEGITIMATE: The Sultan says the raid by Jais on DUMC’s Dream Centre was carried out in accordance with the State’s constitution
A special task force will be formed to study the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s (Jais) standard operating procedure (SOP) in conducting inspections following the Aug 3 raid on a church here.
The announcement by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim yesterday came after the Sultan of Selangor decreed Jais’ raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) as legitimate.
Abdul Khalid said the State government was confident the Sultan’s decision was in the public’s best interest and must be accepted with an “open heart”.
“The State government respects the ruling of Duli Yang Amat Mulia Sultan Selangor in relation to a report on an inspection on Dream Centre by Jais,” he added in a statement.
“The State government believes the ruling is the best decision and takes into consideration the multi-racial and multi-religious society in Malaysia.”
In the incident, police and Jais had raided a multi-racial thanksgiving dinner at DUMC’s Dream Centre in Jalan 13/1, organised by Harapan Komuniti, a non-profit organisation helping women, children, HIV/AIDS sufferers and victims of natural disasters, after receiving complaints of an alleged attempt to proselytise Muslims at the function.
Twelve Muslims were detained and later told to present themselves at the Shah Alam Syariah Court.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said yesterday the public must not “misconstrue and dispute actions of Jais” and decided that no one would be prosecuted as there was “insufficient” evidence for further legal action.
Abdul Khalid also said the Sultan’s decision highlighted the importance in strengthening Jais’ enforcement as well as collecting of evidence.
“Thus, the State government will form a special task force to strengthen Jais’ SOP so the department can monitor attempts to subvert the faith of Muslims thoroughly and effectively.”
The special committee will also comprise religious leaders, legal experts and senior government officials.
Selangor exco member in charge of Islamic affairs Datuk Dr Hassan Mohamed Ali said in a separate statement the Sultan’s decision proved there were attempts to pervert the Muslim faith at DUMC.
“I also felt relieved that the investigation by Jais was conducted lawfully. The Sultan’s decision itself denies the allegations that Jais enforcement officers had not followed procedures and law when carrying out the said operation,” he said.
In a statement signed by the Sultan of Selangor himself, the Ruler said the actions by Jais were in accordance with the State constitution.
“We have thoroughly read in detail the said report and we are satisfied that the actions of Jais were rightful and did not breach any laws enforceable in Selangor,” said the Sultan.
“The actions of Jais are in line with the jurisdiction provided under Syariah Criminal Procedure (State of Selangor) Enactment, 2003, Syariah Criminal (State of Selangor) Enactment, 1995 and Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment, 1988.”
He also said non-Muslims were allowed to practise their religion freely in Selangor but there should not be any attempt to subvert the belief and faith of Muslims.
