PETALING JAYA: Non-Muslim leaders were briefed on the placement of Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officers in government departments, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said this was to address any concerns that such a move is unconstitutional.
He said ten representatives from the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) met with him and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang as well as officers from the two ministries on the matter in Putrajaya on Wednesday (Sept 18).
He said that the meeting also proposed that the Bureau of Religious Issues Management and Mediation established in the Inter-Religious Harmony Committee (Harmoni) be activated to address such concerns in the future.
MCCBHST had previously stated that placing Jakim officers in government departments denoted Jakim's involvement in the public sphere, which may infringe upon the rights guaranteed to all Malaysians.
"We met with MCCBHST from 4pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday to clarify the issue of the placement of Jakim officers in ministries.
"At the meeting, MCCBHST was given a briefing on the history, functions and roles of Jakim officers placed at government agencies since the 80s. Placements are approved by the civil service department to carry out their roles pertaining to Islamic affairs.
"The roles of these Jakim officers placed at these agencies can be summarised into management, human development, rehabilitation, safety and prevention based on the needs of the agencies, departments and ministries," said Mohd Na'im.
Mohd Na'im also said that such a meeting is a part of the "good governance" policy practised by the unity government.
Meanwhile, Aaron Ago said there has been no increase in the placement of Jakim officers under the Madani government.
"There are 1,250 Jakim officers currently and there have been no new postings under the unity government.
"The role of these officers only focuses on Islamic affairs and they do not play any role in the enactment of policies of government departments and ministries," he said.
He further said that the Harmoni Bureau set up in 2020 would be activated to hold more discussions about understanding government policies as members include both Muslim and non-Muslim leaders.
Last June, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the federal government wanted Jakim's role to be expanded, including helping to draft a national development policy framework based on Malaysia Madani.
Non-Muslim leaders then raised concerns about Jakim officers being placed in government departments to ensure decisions align with Islamic principles.
The government, however, denied this on Sept 3, stating that Jakim officers' roles in government departments are limited to organising Islamic religious programmes.
