PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has questioned the guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events proposed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
"Is the minister saying every time a non-Muslim dies, the Muslim friend must get approval from the authorities before attending the funeral and are we supposed to ask for Jakim's permission before allowing the Muslim to pay his or her last respects?" the MIC deputy president asked in a statement Thursday (Feb 6).
He also questioned if Jakim's approval was needed if a Muslim was invited to attend a non-Muslim wedding.
He said the proposed new guidelines disrupt the unity of Malaysians.
"The Prime Minister should intervene and all communities of different races should be invited fo discuss the guidelines before a decision is made," he said.
Klang MP V. Ganabatirau, meanwhile, said the guidelines could affect unity in the country.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan also voiced his concerns on the proposed new guidelines.
He said a group of MPs planned to meet Na'im to discuss the proposed guidelines.