Dr M: Jakim wants all to follow its version of Islam

For you: Dr Mahathir launching Zaid’s new book.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) wants everyone to follow “its version of Islam and doesn’t want people to think”, says former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speaking after the launch of former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s new book, Dr Mahathir said that there was no compulsion in Islam, yet Jakim wanted everyone to follow its version of the religion.

The former premier’s views on Jakim came in the wake of several prominent personalities declaring that the department was “unconstitutional” and should be abolished.

Zaid’s new book, Assalamualaikum, comprises writings on Islamisation in Malaysia.

The former prime minister said Islamisation in Malaysia meant that people were not required to think when it came to religion.

“They don’t want people to think. Just accept what is being taught and have faith,” he said.

He said there was nothing in the Quran that said zakat payments should be made directly through the Government.

“I have read the Quran, and this was never mentioned. But I pay my zakat through the Government because it’s easier,” he said.

Federal Territories Zakat Council chief Che Mat Che Ali recently said it was “sinful” to pay zakat directly to the poor instead of handing the contributions to the Government’s zakat collection centres.