Jakim to develop reporting system for deviant teachings

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will develop a central reporting system for issues related to deviant teachings, says Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

"Jakim is cognisant that there is a need to improve the workflow to overcome issues such as Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) and those related to deviant teaching in the country," he said.

"For this case, investigations revealed that there have been child and women exploitation cases which have raised the need for improvement in the standard operating procedures (SOP) for reporting of such cases," he said.

"Jakim will develop a centralised system where any party can report such cases directly to the authority for immediate response," he added.

He was responding to a question by Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) on whether the ministry intends to strengthen the reporting SOP.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said certain considerations are needed before any charges related to creed could be made in the GISB case.

"Any charges from the aspect of akidah (creed) require legal provisions (ketetapan hukum)," he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said a few states, including Pahang, Perlis and Selangor, have made certain declarations on GISB. This, he said, will be used as a reference for any potential charges.

"Before any charges could be made, the strength and veracity of evidence must be determined," he added.

He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) on why there were no such charges.

"We know GISB was initially accused of practising Aurad Muhammadiah but they were not charged for that offence," said Tuan Ibrahim.